JU-122
STEPHEN
FULL OF GRACE AND POWER • THE FIRST MARTYR
“The first martyr — his face like an angel, his prayer like his Lord's.”
MEET STEPHEN
Chosen to serve tables, Stephen served with such grace and power that his face shone like an angel's — and his death planted seeds that would shake the world.
THE STORY
One of seven chosen to care for overlooked widows, Stephen was 'full of faith and the Holy Spirit.' When opponents couldn't out-argue the wisdom by which he spoke, they dragged him before the council on false charges — and everyone saw his face like the face of an angel. His defense swept from Abraham to Jesus; his death mirrored his Lord's: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... do not charge them with this sin.' A young man named Saul watched, holding the coats. The first martyr's prayer was answered on a Damascus road.
SCRIPTURE
PLACES
PEOPLE
SAUL WITNESSED HIS MARTYRDOM
APPOINTED BY THE APOSTLES
LESSONS
- 1.Faithfulness in serving tables qualifies you for greater things.
- 2.A Spirit-filled life is visible — even to enemies.
- 3.Forgiveness at the point of death preaches the loudest sermon.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
Lord Jesus, fill me with faith and the Holy Spirit like Stephen — faithful in small service, fearless in witness, forgiving to the end. Amen.
ASK ABOUT STEPHEN
Reading about Stephen and wondering something? Ask — the Study Assistant answers from Scripture, right here.
COLLECTIBLE
More than a collectible — a conversation starter. Every JUNIVERSE figure comes in packaging with a QR code that opens this very story page, so whoever holds Stephen can scan it, hear the story, and meet Jesus. Collect them, gift them, and leave them behind wherever a story needs telling.