26 December – St Stephen

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is honoured on 26 December.

We first hear of him in Acts (Acts 6. 1 – 6): ‘a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit’.

After the resurrection of Jesus, his Ascension followed by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Jerusalem community is portrayed as a close knit group worshipping together and supporting each other (Acts 2.42 – 47), while continuing to attend synagogue. They held possessions in common so that no-one was in need and they witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4. 32 – 37). The Apostles, the leaders and core of the group, performed ‘signs and wonders’, healing many who were brought to them (Acts 5. 12 – 16). The authorities were annoyed at the apparent attack on their authority and took action.

As the prototype community grew some followers were chosen to assist in various ways.
Amongst them was Stephen (Acts6. 5) and he too ‘did great wonders and signs’
(Acts 6. 8). False accusations, led to his arrest. At his trial he made a speech which outlined the history of Israel from Abraham. Through it, the beginnings of the separation of the followers of Jesus from the traditional Jewish norm becomes clear. He shows how the people have consistently rejected the prophets and teachers of the past and that the Temple in Jerusalem is not the only place where God may be worshipped (Acts7. 2 – 53).

The accusation of blasphemy is upheld and Stephen is condemned to be stoned to death (Acts 7. 54 – 60).