THE New Testament and the writings of Bible scholars provide relatively little information about the life and works of the early Church worker named Stephen. Much of what we know about him appears in the sixth and seventh chapters of Acts.
Yet from this modest record, we see that Stephen's brief pioneering role made an important contribution to the history of Christianity. His healing works inspired confidence and courage at a crucial time in Christianity's early stages. And his absolute conviction of the universality of Jesus' teachings cost him his life and made him the first Christian martyr.
STEPHEN was among seven men selected by the twelve apostles to administer the Church's fund for widows of Hellenist Jewish Christians (Jews who had learned to speak Greek and had adopted certain Greek customs). He is described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 6:5. It's also said that, as a man "full of faith and power, [he] did great wonders and miracles among the people."
Acts 6:8. As a Hellenist Jew, Stephen had contact with different Gentile communities, so his healing "wonders" and "miracles" no doubt took place among people of various races and cultures.
