스테판은 초대 교회에서 임명된 일곱 명의 집사 중 한 사람으로, 은혜와 권능이 충만하여 백성 중에 위대한 이적과 표적을 행했으며, 기독교 최초의 순교자가 되었습니다.
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Stephen, whose name Στέφανος (Strong's G4736) means "crown," was one of the servants appointed in the early Jerusalem church. According to the book of Acts, he was a disciple "full of grace and power," who performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). The original Greek uses πλήρης (full) χάριτος (of grace) καὶ (and) δυνάμεως (of power) to describe the abundance of his spiritual life, echoing the account in Acts chapter 4 where the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit after prayer, spoke the word with boldness. However, Stephen's ministry aroused opposition from certain quarters. False witnesses were brought forward to accuse him of speaking against the holy place and the law. Standing before the Sanhedrin, Stephen recounted Israel's history and pointedly observed that the people had repeatedly resisted the Holy Spirit and persecuted the prophets sent by God. This address enraged his hearers. According to Acts 7:54, "when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." The original Greek employs διεπρίοντο (to gnash) τῇ καρδίᾳ (in the heart) — a vivid expression capturing their inward fury and resolve. Faced with the threat of death, Stephen looked up to heaven and testified that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, then committed his spirit to the Lord and was martyred. His death marked the first martyrdom in church history and became a pivotal event witnessed by Saul (later Paul) before his conversion. Stephen's life exemplifies how servants filled with the Holy Spirit can hold fast to their faith amid persecution, and his witness remains an enduring model for believers facing opposition for their beliefs.