Stephen: Difference between revisions

In the first century AD, the saints of the early Church, having received the [[The Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]] on [[Pentecost]], boldly preached [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] as the [[Redeemer|Savior]]. Thousands were [[Baptism|baptized]] daily,<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#2장 Acts 2:38-41]. "베드로가 가로되 너희가 회개하여 각각 예수 그리스도의 이름으로 침례를 받고 죄 사함을 얻으라 그리하면 성령을 선물로 받으리니 ... 그 말을 받는 사람들은 침례를 받으매 이 날에 제자의 수가 삼천이나 더하더라"</ref> and the number of converts to Christianity grew rapidly.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 Acts 6:7]. "하나님의 말씀이 점점 왕성하여 예루살렘에 있는 제자의 수가 더 심히 많아지고 허다한 제사장의 무리도 이 도에 복종하니라"</ref> The Jewish religious leaders, jealous of this, imprisoned the apostles and flogged them publicly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5%3A17-40&version=NIV |title=Acts 5:17–40|publisher=|quote= }}</ref> However, the [[Apostle|apostles]] rejoiced in their suffering for Jesus’ name and continued to preach the gospel tirelessly, both in public and in private.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#5장 Acts 5:41-42]. "사도들은 그 이름을 위하여 능욕 받는 일에 합당한 자로 여기심을 기뻐하면서 공회 앞을 떠나니라 저희가 날마다 성전에 있든지 집에 있든지 예수는 그리스도라 가르치기와 전도하기를 쉬지 아니하니라"</ref>

As the fervor of the [[gospel]] spread, the number of [[Christian|Christians]] grew, and the members lived in communal life, sharing everything in common.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A44-46&version=NIV |title=Acts 2:44–46|publisher=|quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+4%3A32&version=NIV |title=Acts 4:32|publisher=|quote= }}</ref> The Jerusalem church, led by the apostles, was primarily composed of [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aramaic-language Aramaic]-speaking Jews native to Israel (Hebrews), alongside a smaller group of Greek-speaking Jews who had settled abroad and later returned to Jerusalem (Hellenists). At that time, the [[church]] had a custom of helping widows in need, but the Hellenistic widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food and necessities. This oversight occurred because the apostles were so consumed with preaching the gospel that they had little time to manage the day-to-day affairs of the church.<ref>[https://www.simplybible.com/f78i-acts-c6-v1-15.htm Acts 6:1-15 verse by verse], ''Simplybible.com'' </ref> Meanwhile, the Hellenists expressed their discontent over this issue.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 Acts 6:1]. "그 때에 제자가 더 많아졌는데 헬라파 유대인들이 자기의 과부들이 그 매일 구제에 빠지므로 히브리파 사람을 원망한대"</ref>

The apostles gathered all the disciples and asked them to select workers to manage the church's finances and administrative matters. Everyone agreed with joy, believing that the problems they faced could be resolved if the apostles focused on ''prayer'' and ''preaching God’s word'' while the elected workers attended to the service of the church. Seven trustworthy men—Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas—were chosen. The apostles laid their hands on them, and they became the first Christian deacons. After this, the church became more organized, and the number of disciples in [[Jerusalem]] grew rapidly.<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 Acts 6:2-7].</ref>

Stephen, one of the seven deacons, was known for his great faith. He performed miracles<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 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://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 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>

This caused hostility toward Stephen within Judaism. Many Jews believed that his teachings stemmed from the faith of Jesus of [[Nazareth]].<ref>[https://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 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://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 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://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#6장 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://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/개역한글판/Acts#7장 Acts 7:54-56]. "저희가 이말을 듣고 마음에 찔려 저를 향하여 이를 갈거늘 스데반이 성령이 충만하여 하늘을 우러러 주목하여 하나님의 영광과 및 예수께서 하나님 우편에 서신 것을 보고 말하되 보라 하늘이 열리고 인자가 하나님 우편에 서신 것을 보노라 한대"</ref>