Stephen is martyred

Stephen is martyred 1
The believers cared for widows by giving them food. Some Jews from Greece complained that their widows were not given as much as the local widows. The 12 apostles gathered everyone together.
Stephen is martyred 2
‘It’s not right that we should neglect our work teaching people about Jesus to supervise the food being given out,‘ Peter explained.
Stephen is martyred 3
‘Let’s choose 7 men who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to look after this matter so the 12 apostles can give all their attention to prayer and teaching the Bible.’

Stephen is martyred 4
They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, along with six others (Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas). The apostles put their hands on the men and prayed for them.
Stephen is martyred 5
Everyone was pleased and the seven new deacons got to work. More and more people were told about Jesus.
Stephen is martyred 6
A large number of priests believed and obeyed the teachings of Jesus.

Stephen is martyred 7
Stephen, one of the seven men chosen as deacons, performed many miracles in the name of Jesus.
Stephen is martyred 8
Jews from North Africa, who did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead, argued with Stephen, but the Holy Spirit helped him give wise replies to their taunts.
Stephen is martyred 9
These Jews secretly persuaded other men to falsely claim, ‘We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’

Stephen is martyred 10
Stephen was seized and taken before the leaders of the Sanhedrin.
Stephen is martyred 11
The plotters made more false accusations: ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this Temple and the law. We heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’
Stephen is martyred 12
The Jewish leaders looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. ‘Are these charges true?’ the High Priest demanded.

Stephen is martyred 13
Stephen explained how the Jews had refused to listen to Moses and the prophets who declared that God would send a Saviour. They had then betrayed and killed Jesus, the Saviour God had sent.’ The leaders were so furious they snarled and gnashed their teeth.
Stephen is martyred 14
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, ‘Look,’ he said, ‘heaven is open and I can see Jesus standing at the right hand of God.’ The Jewish leaders put their hands over their ears, yelled at the top of their voices, rushed at Stephen and dragged him out of the city. –
Stephen is martyred 15
They took off their coats and put them at the feet of a man called Saul. Then they started hurling large stones at Stephen.

Stephen is martyred 16
While they were stoning him Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’
Stephen is martyred 17
When he had prayed this his spirit went to be with Jesus. He was the first Christian to be martyred.

Stephen is martyred
Stephen is chosen as one of seven deacons and is later stoned to death for speaking about Jesus.
Acts 6-7