STEPHEN (ste'v'n), (Gr. Irecbavos, crown), one of the seven first deacons, and the prow-martyr of the Christian church. There have been various conjectures respecting his early his tory, but the first authentic notice we find of him is in Acts vi :5. In the distribution of the com mon fund that was intrusted to the apostles (Acts iv :35-37) for the support of the poorer brethren (see Mosheim, De Rebus Christ. ante Canst. p. 118, and Dissert. ad Hist. Eccles. pertin.), the Hellenistic Jews complained that a partiality was shown to the natives of Palestine, and that the poor and sick among their widows were neglected.
(1) First Deacon. The complaint of the Hel lenists having reached the ears of the Apostles,im mediate directions were given by them with a view to remove the cause of it. Unwilling themselves to be called away from their proper employment of extending the bounds of the Christian commu nity, they told the assembled multitude of be lievers to select seven men of their own number, in whose faith and integrity they might repose entire confidence, for the superintendence of every thing connected with the relief of the poor. The proposal of the Apostles met with the approbation of the brethren, who proceeded at once with the choice of the prescribed number of individuals, among whom Stephen is first mentioned, hence the title of first deacon, or first of the deacons. is given to him by Irenxus ( hen. i. i2).
(2) Full of Faith.. He is distinguished in Scripture as a man 'full of faith and of the Holy Ghost' (Acts vi :5). The newly elected individ uals were brought to the Apostles, who ordained them to their office, and they entered upon their duties with extraordinary zeal and success. The number of the disciples was greatly increased, and many priests were among the converts. In this work Stephen greatly distinguished himself by the miracles he performed before the people, and by the arguments he advanced in support of the Christian cause.
(3) Addressed Himself to Hellenists. From his foreign descent and education he was naturally led to address himself to the Hellenists. and in his
- disputation with Jews of the Synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrenians, etc. (see SYNAGOGUE; LIBERTINES), he brought forward views of the Christian scheme that could not be relished by the bigots of the ancient faith. As they were un able to withstand his powers of reasoning, their malice was excited; they suborned false witnesses against him, and dragged him before the Sanhe drim as a blasphemer.
(4) His Defense. The speech which Stephen made in defending himself against this accusation is well deserving of the most careful study. He first enters upon a historical statement involving a .refutation of the charges which had been made against him of hostility to the Old Testament in stitutions, but at the same time showing that acceptance with God does not depend upon out ward relations. Under the same form he illus trates the providential care exercised by the Al mighty in regard to the Jewish people, along with the opposition exhibited by the Jews towards those sent to them by God. And he points the ap plication of his whole discourse by charging his carnal-minded hearers with resisting, like their fathers, the Holy Ghost.
(5) Cruel Death. The effect upon his auditors was terrible. Conscience smitten, they united in wreaking their vengeance on the faithful de nouncer of their guilt. They drowned his voice with their clamorous outcries, they stopped their ears against him, they rushed on him with one accord in a tumultuary manner, they carried him forth, and, without waiting for the authority of law, they stoned him to death as a blasphemer (see STONING). The frantic violence of his per secutors did not disturb the tranquillity of the martyr, and he died praying that his murderers might be forgiven (Acts vii :6o).
The only other particular connected with Ste phen mentioned in Scripture is, that 'devout men carried him to his burial, and made great lamen tation over him' (Acts viii :2).