Stephen
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them"
This story tells how Stephen was killed for his faith.
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Stephen was one of seven men chosen to care for widows in the church, full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Falsely accused, he stood before the council with a face like an angel's and saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God's right hand. As they stoned him, with a young man named Saul watching, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Where it is in the Bible: Acts 6 to 7
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Stephen: One of seven men chosen to serve the church. He is full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
- The apostles: The church's leaders.
- The council: The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court.
- Saul: A young man who watches. Later he will become the apostle Paul.
Setting
- Jerusalem: the believers' meeting place, the council chamber, and outside the city walls.
When
- A few years after Jesus rose from the dead.
Before the Story
The church was growing fast. Thousands believed in Jesus (4:4).
The apostles kept preaching, even after being arrested and beaten (5:40-42).
The believers took care of widows. Every day they shared food with widows who had no one to provide for them.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seven helpers | 6:1-7 | The church chooses seven men to serve |
| 2. Full of grace | 6:8-15 | Stephen is falsely accused |
| 3. Heaven open | 7:51-56 | Stephen sees Jesus |
| 4. "Do not hold this sin against them" | 7:57-60 | Stephen dies forgiving |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Seven Helpers
As the church grew, some widows were being overlooked when food was shared.
The apostles said they needed to keep praying and preaching. So the church should choose seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom to take care of the food.
Everyone agreed. They chose Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (6:5), and six others.
The apostles prayed and laid their hands on them. The church kept growing.
Scene 2 of 4Full of Grace
Stephen was "full of grace and power" (6:8). He did wonders and signs among the people.
Some men argued with him, but they couldn't win against his wisdom and the Spirit.
So they got people to lie about him. They said he spoke against God and Moses.
They dragged him before the council with false witnesses.
"All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel" (6:15).
Scene 3 of 4Heaven Open
Stephen gave a long speech about God's faithfulness and his people's stubbornness. Then he told the council they were resisting the Holy Spirit, as their ancestors had.
The council was furious.
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (7:55).
"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (7:56).
Scene 4 of 4"Do Not Hold This Sin Against Them"
They covered their ears and rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and threw stones at him.
The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (7:59).
He fell to his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (7:60).
"And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (7:60).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (6:5) | Stephen was chosen to serve because of his faith. |
| "His face was like the face of an angel" (6:15) | God's peace shone on Stephen, even when falsely accused. |
| "Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (7:55) | Jesus stood to welcome his faithful witness. |
| "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (7:59) | Stephen trusted Jesus with his life. |
| "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (7:60) | Stephen forgave the people killing him, like Jesus. |
| "He fell asleep" (7:60) | Death is like sleep for those who belong to Jesus. |
Back Then
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. A martyr is someone who dies because they won't give up their faith. The word means "witness."
The seven are often seen as the first deacons. A deacon is someone who serves, especially caring for people in need.
Saul became Paul. Soon after, Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus (9:3-6).
Literal Reader Alert
Why did God let Stephen die? The Bible doesn't fully explain. Stephen's faithfulness helped spread the gospel, and it may have stayed with Saul. And for Stephen, death meant being with Jesus.
Do I have to forgive people who hurt me badly? Forgiveness is a gift Jesus helps us give over time. Forgiving doesn't mean staying near someone who hurts you. If someone is hurting you, tell a trusted adult.
Is Jesus sitting or standing? Usually the Bible says Jesus sits at God's right hand. Here he stands, perhaps to welcome Stephen home.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The widows | Overlooked | They weren't getting food (6:1) |
| The council | Enraged | They gnashed their teeth (7:54) |
| Stephen | Peaceful | He saw Jesus and prayed for his killers (7:55, 7:60) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does Stephen's story say to you? Tap one.
Serving
Stephen started by serving food to widows. Serving matters.
Being falsely accused
God saw the truth about Stephen.
Forgiving
Stephen forgave like Jesus did. Jesus can help you too.
Afraid of dying
For Stephen, death was falling asleep and waking with Jesus.
You Might Have Heard
"Faithful Christians never suffer."
What's true: God is with his people always.
What the story is mainly about: Stephen was faithful, and he died for it. But he saw Jesus waiting for him, and he died forgiving, just like his Lord.
Where Jesus is: Standing at the right hand of God, welcoming Stephen home.
Good News
Stephen saw heaven open, and Jesus was there.
"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (7:56).
Death couldn't separate Stephen from Jesus. It can't separate you either. Jesus receives everyone who belongs to him.
Stephen saw Jesus at God's right hand. He forgave the people who killed him and fell asleep in the Lord.
Big Idea
Stephen served the church, was falsely accused, and saw Jesus standing at God's right hand. He died forgiving those who killed him.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther pointed to Stephen's last prayers as a model for Christians facing death: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." He said a Christian can fall asleep trusting Christ, like a child going to bed.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Acts 7:55-60 on the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Many churches also remember Stephen on December 26.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fifth Sunday of Easter Year AFirst reading, Acts 7:55–60
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Stephen, explained in plain words. Chosen to serve, falsely accused, and faithful to the end. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/stephen/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church