Stephen

Epiphan. de Christo, c. 4. p. 50.STEPHEN; in Greek, Stephanos, which signifies a Crown. St. Stephen the first Martyr, was probably of the Number of those Hellenistical Jews that believed in Jesus Christ. Epiphanius thinks he was of the Number of the seventy-two Disciples of Jesus Christ; but this is not very certain. Jesus Christ appointed his seventy -two Disciples to teach and preach; but it seems that St. Stephen, and the six other first Deacons, had as yet no particular Designation, when they were chosen for the Service of the Tables. ‘Twas in the Year 53 of Jesus Christ that the seven Deacons were chosen. St. Stephen is always put at their Head, as the chief and most worthy. ‘Tis believed he had study’d at the Feet of Gamaliel. As he was full of the Holy Ghost and of Zeal,¹ he perform’d many wonderful Works and Miracles before the People; and some of the Synagogue of the Freed-men, of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and some others, entring into Dispute with him, could not withstand the Wisdom and the Spirit that spoke from his Mouth.

Then they suborned false Witness to testify, that they heard him blaspheme against Moses, and against God; and they stirr’d up the People by their Calumnies, so that they drew him before the Council of the Nation, or the Sanhedrim; and they produced false Witnesses against him, who deposed, that they had heard him speak against the Temple, and against the Law, and affirm’d, that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the holy Place, and abolish the Observance of the Law of Moses. Stephen appear’d in the midst of the Assembly, having his Countenance shining like that of an Angel; and the High-priest asking him what he had to answer to these Accusations? he made his Defence, in Acts vii. 1, 2, 3, &c.which he shew’d he had not said any thing, either against Moses, or against the Temple, but that the Jews themselves had always opposed themselves to God and the Prophets: He upbraided them with the Hardness of their Hearts, and their Infidelity, with their putting the Prophets to Death, and, lastly, Jesus Christ himself.

At these Words they were in a Rage, and gnash’d their Teeth against him. But Stephen lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, saw the Glory of God, and Jesus Christ standing at the Right-hand of God. Upon which he said; I see the Heavens open, and the Son of Man standing at the Right-hand of God. Then the Jews cry’d out against him with one Voice, and stop’d their Ears, as if they had heard some dreadful Blasphemy; and falling upon him, they drew him out of the City, and stoned him. The Witnesses laid down their Cloaths at the Feet of a young Man call’d Saul, who was then one of the most eager Persecutors of the Christians, and who was afterwards one of the most zealous Preachers of the Gospel. Stephen all the while call’d upon the Lord, and said; Lord, impute not this Sin to them. After which Words he fell asleep in the Lord, and some pious Persons took care to bury him, and to accompany his Funeral with great Mourning.

Acts viii. 2.This is what the Scripture informs us of St. Stephen and his Martyrdom. We are told of many Particulars of his Burial, and afterwards of the Discovery of his Body, in a Work printed at the End of the seventh Tome of the new Edition of Saint Austin, under the Name of Lucian the Priest. The Devotion pay’d to him is very antient and famous in the Church; and God has perform’d a great Number of Miracles by Means of his Reliques, the greatest Part of which are very well attested .

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