Stephen: Difference between revisions

{{성경인물

Stephen, one of the seven deacons, was known for his great faith. He performed miracles<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A8&version=NIV Acts 6:8]. "스데반이 은혜와 권능이 충만하여 큰 기사와 표적을 민간에 행하니"</ref> while serving in church administration and engaged in theological discussions with the Jews, drawing from his deep understanding of the law. At that time, there were synagogues in Jerusalem established by Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. Stephen engaged in discussions at these [[Synagogue|synagogues]], but no one could withstand the wisdom with which he spoke.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A9-10&version=NIV Acts 6:9-10]. "리버디노 구레네인, 알렉산드리아인, 길리기아와 아시아에서 온 사람들의 회당이라는 각 회당에서 어떤자들이 일어나 스데반으로 더불어 변론할새 스데반이 지혜와 성령으로 말함을 저희가 능히 당치 못하여"</ref>

[[file:Sanhedrin1.jpg |thumb| 200px |''The Sanhedrin, the highest judicial body in Jewish society'' by unknown author, 1883]]

This caused hostility toward Stephen within Judaism. Many Jews believed that his teachings stemmed from the faith of Jesus of [[Nazareth]].<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A14&version=NIV Acts 6:14]. "그의 말에 이 나사렛 예수가 이곳을 헐고 또 모세가 우리에게 전하여 준 규례를 고치겠다 함을 우리가 들었노라 하거늘"</ref> To them, Stephen was a dangerous figure who were threatening the religious heritage preserved for generations. Determined to eliminate him, they plotted against Stephen, spreading rumors and enlisting influential figures such as [[Elder|elders]] and [[Teacher of the Law|scribes]].<ref>[https://wordonline.org/videos/stephen-preaches-with-power-and-miracles?lang=en Stephen preaches with power and miracles], ''Word Online'', September 24, 2021</ref> They brought him before the [[Sanhedrin]], the highest judicial body in Judaism, accusing him of blasphemy against [[Moses]] and [[God]] and of recklessly altering the law.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A11-12&version=NIV Acts 6:11-12]. "사람들을 가르쳐 말시키되 이 사람이 모세와 및 하나님을 모독하는 말 하는 것을 우리가 들었노라 하게 하고 백성과 장로와 서기관들을 충동시켜 와서 잡아 가지고 공회에 이르러"</ref> They employed the same deceptive tactics they had used to frame [[Jesus Christ]].  

The false witnesses, summoned by the Jews, accused Stephen in court of saying that he would destroy the [[temple]] and change the [[law of Moses]].<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%3A13-14&version=NIV Acts 6:13-14]. "거짓 증인들을 세우니 가로되 이 사람이 이 거룩한 곳과 율법을 거스려 말하기를 마지 아니하는도다 그의 말에 이 나사렛 예수가 이곳을 헐고 또 모세가 우리에게 전하여 준 규례를 고치겠다 함을 우리가 들었노라 하거늘"</ref> When the high priest asked, “Is this true?” Stephen confidently preached about Jesus, standing firm in his faith. He recounted the history of their forefathers, who, without recognizing God’s grace, had persecuted the prophets. He then accused them of killing Jesus, the Righteous One, just as their ancestors had done. Stephen boldly testified about [[Christ]] in the Sanhedrin, rebuking them for [[Cross|crucifying]] Him, the [[God in the Flesh (Incarnation)|One who came in the flesh]] to fulfill the prophecies of the [[Bible]].

When the people heard Stephen’s word, were filled with guilt and anger, grinding their teeth. At the end of his speech, Stephen’s spiritual eyes were opened and he saw the spiritual world. He declared, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A54-56&version=NIV Acts 7:54-56]</ref>

Hearing this, the people could no longer contain their anger. They covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and threw stones at him. Saul (who would later be known as Paul the Apostle) was present at the scene. As the people stoned him, Stephen cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then, kneeling down, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” With these words, he closed his eyes.<ref name=":0">[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#7장 Acts 7:57-60]. "저희가 큰 소리를 지르며 귀를 막고 일심으로 그에게 달려들어 성 밖에 내치고 돌로 칠새 증인들이 옷을 벗어 사울이라 하는 청년의 발앞에 두니라 저희가 돌로 스데반을 치니 스데반이 부르짖어 가로되 주 예수여 내 영혼을 받으시옵소서 하고 무릎을 꿇고 크게 불러 가로되 '''주여 이 죄를 저들에게 돌리지 마옵소서''' 이 말을 하고 자니라"</ref> Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly for him.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#8장 Acts 8:2]. "경건한 사람들이 스데반을 장사하고 위하여 크게 울더라"</ref>

After his martyrdom, a large-scale persecution of Christians broke out in Jerusalem, causing the saints to scatter to various places. All the Christians at that time fled to all Judea and [[Samaria]] to escape the persecution, with only the apostles remaining in Jerusalem. Stephen’s death further ignited the faith of the disciples, leading them to spread the gospel even more fervently. The Christians who had fled preached the gospel wherever they went.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#8장 Acts 8:4-5]. "그 흩어진 사람들이 두루 다니며 복음의 말씀을 전할새 빌립이 사마리아 성에 내려가 그리스도를 백성에게 전파하니"</ref> Philip, for instance, preached in many villages in Samaria and even [[Baptism|baptized]] a eunuch, who held great authority over the finances of the queen of Ethiopia, in the desert.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+8%3A26-39&version=NIV |title=Acts 8:26–39 |publisher= }}</ref> Additionally, churches were established in Antioch, a pagan region.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/%EA%B0%9C%EC%97%AD%ED%95%9C%EA%B8%80%ED%8C%90/%EC%82%AC%EB%8F%84%ED%96%89%EC%A0%84#11%EC%9E%A5 Acts 11:19]. " 때에 스데반의 일로 일어난 환난을 인하여 흩어진 자들이 베니게와 구브로와 안디옥까지 이르러"</ref>