Stephen the Martyr in Early Christian Writings

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

Stephen, who was chosen by the apostles as the first deacon and was the first to follow the path of martyrdom of the Lord by being killed for confessing Christ, spoke boldly among the people and taught them, saying: "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham and said to him, 'Leave your country and your kindred and come to the land I will show you.' He brought him to this land where you now live. He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground to call his own, yet He promised to give it to him as a possession and to his descendants after him. God said that his descendants would live in a foreign land, be enslaved, and mistreated for four hundred years, but the nation they serve will be judged by Me, says the Lord. Afterward, they will come out and serve Me in this place. He gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and so Abraham became the father of Isaac." The rest of his words declare the same God who was with Joseph, the patriarchs, and spoke with Moses.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

10. And still further, Stephen, who was chosen the first deacon by the apostles, and who, of all men, was the first to follow the footsteps of the martyrdom of the Lord, being the first that was slain for confessing Christ, speaking boldly among the people, and teaching them, says: “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, … and said to him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ained bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, seven in number. One of these was Stephen, that blessed martyr, who was not inferior to us in his pious disposition of mind toward God. He showed such great piety toward God by his faith and love toward our Lord Jesus Christ that he gave his life for Him, and was stoned to death by the Jews, the murderers of the Lord. Yet even this very great and good man, fervent in spirit, who saw Christ at the right hand of God and the gates of heaven opened, nowhere appears to have performed functions that did not belong to his office as a deacon. Nor did he offer the sacrifices, nor lay hands on anyone, but kept the order of a deacon to the end. For it was fitting for him, as a martyr for Christ, to preserve good order. But if some blame Philip our deacon, and Ananias our faithful brother, because the one baptized the eunuch, and the other baptized me, Paul, such men do not understand what we are saying. For we have affirmed only that no one snatches the sacerdotal dignity for himself, but either receives it from God, as Melchisedec and Job did, or from the high priest, as Aaron did from Moses. Therefore Philip and Ananias did not appoint themselv

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Concerning James, the brother of the Lord, and Stephen, the first martyr.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Concerning James the Brother of the Lord, and Stephen the First Martyr.

Acts 6:5 Direct teaching

And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

Acts 7:59 Direct teaching

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Acts 7:58 Supporting witness

and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

... heed to ourselves, and watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation, in Matthew 26:41. Thus first Stephen, pressing on His footsteps, suffered martyrdom. He was apprehended in Jerusalem by the transgressors, brought before the council, stoned, and glorified for the name of Christ, praying with the words, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," in Acts 7:59. Thus James also, in the second place, having been apprehended by Herod, was beheaded with the sword. Thus Peter, the first of the apostles, having often been apprehended, thrown into prison, and treated with ignominy, was at last crucified at Rome. Likewise also the renowned Paul, having often been delivered up and brought into peril of death, having endured many evils, and making his boast in his many persecutions and afflictions, was also himself beheaded in the same city. In the things in which he gloried, in these also he ended his life. And at Damascus he was let down by night in a basket by the wall, and escaped the hands of him who sought to take him, in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33. For what they set before themselves first and foremost was to do the work of an evangelist and to teach the Word of God. In this, strengthe

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

That Peter is struck, that Stephen is overwhelmed by stones, Acts 7:59 that James is slain as is a victim at the altar, that Paul is beheaded has been written in their own blood.

Pamphilus, Exposition on the Acts of the Apostles Direct teaching

H. The rising up and slanderous accusation of the Jews against Stephen, and his address concerning the covenant of God with Abraham, and concerning the twelve patriarchs. Also the account of the famine and the buying of grain, and the mutual recognition of the sons of Jacob, and of the birth of Moses and the appearance of God to Moses, which took place at Mount Sinai. Also of the exodus and the calf-making of Israel, and other matters, up to the times of Solomon and the building of the temple. Then the acknowledgment of the supercelestial glory of Jesus Christ, which was revealed to Stephen himself. Because of this, Stephen himself was stoned, and fell asleep piously.

Pamphilus, Exposition on the Acts of the Apostles Supporting witness

* Then the acknowledgment of the supercelestial glory of Jesus Christ which was revealed to Stephen himself, on account of which Stephen was himself stoned, and fellasleep piously.

Acts 8:2 Direct teaching

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:1 Supporting witness

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...atience and endurance? And we see this in Stephen. When he was killed by the Jews with violence and stoning, he did not ask for vengeance for himself, but for pardon for his murderers, saying, "Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge." Acts 7:60 It was fitting that the first martyr of Christ should be like this. By going before the martyrs who would follow him in a glorious death, he was not only a preacher of the Lord's passion, but also an imitator of His most patient gentleness. What shall I say about anger, discord, and strife? These things ought not to be found in a Christian. Let there be patience in the heart, and these things cannot have a place there. Or if they try to enter, they are quickly driven out and leave, so that a peaceful dwelling may remain in the heart, where the God of peace delights to dwell. Finally, the apostle warns and teaches us, saying, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed to the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and anger, and wrath, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you." Ephesians 4:30-31 For if the Christian has departed from rage and fleshly conflict as if from the storms of the sea, and has already be

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

And this we see done in the case of Stephen, who, when he was slain by the Jews with violence and stoning, did not ask for vengeance for himself, but for pardon for his murderers, saying, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...h preaches, and in doing so, they were perfected, which is why they were called to what is perfect. Stephen, while teaching these truths on earth, saw the glory of God and Jesus at His right hand and exclaimed, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” He spoke these words and was stoned, thus fulfilling the perfect doctrine. In every way, he followed the Leader of martyrdom, praying for those who were killing him with the words: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Those who reached perfection understood the same God, who was with humanity from the beginning to the end in various ways, as the prophet Hosea states: “I have filled up visions and used similitudes by the hands of the prophets.” Therefore, those who gave up their lives for Christ’s Gospel could not have spoken according to established opinion. If they had done so, they would not have suffered. However, because they preached contrary to those who did not accept the truth, they suffered. It is clear, therefore, that they did not abandon the truth but boldly preached to the Jews and Greeks. To the Jews, they proclaimed that the Jesus crucified by them was the Son of Go

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

and thus did he fulfil the perfect doctrine, copying in every respect the Leader of martyrdom, and praying for those who were slaying him, in these words: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Thus were they perfected who knew one and the same God, who from beginning to end was present with mankind in the various dispensations;

Acts 7:60 Direct teaching

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

VIII. Now concerning the martyrs, we say to you that they are to be had in all honour with you, as we honour the blessed James the bishop, and the holy Stephen our fellow-servant.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Let them rest on the day of the first martyr Stephen, and of the other holy martyrs who preferred Christ to their own life.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

and replenish him with Your Holy Spirit, and with power, as You replenished Stephen, who was Your martyr, and follower of the sufferings of Your Christ.

Commodianus, Writings Direct teaching

Since you desire martyrdom, my son, listen. Be as Abel was, or as Isaac himself, or as Stephen, who chose for himself the righteous life on the way. You truly desire that which is suited for the blessed. First of all, overcome the evil one with your good acts by living well; and when He, your King, sees you, be secure. It is His own time, and we are living for both; so that if war fails, the martyrs shall go in peace. Many indeed err who say, "With our blood we have overcome the wicked one"; and if he remains, they are unwilling to overcome. He perishes by lying in wait, and the wicked thus feels it; but he who is lawful does not feel the punishments applied. With exclamation and with eagerness, beat your breast with your fists. Even now, if you have conquered by good deeds, you are a martyr in Him. You, therefore, who seeks to extol martyrdom with your word, in peace clothe yourself with good deeds, and be secure.

Origen, Exhortation to Martyrdom Supporting witness

That Stephen speaks the truth, every one will admit who receives the Acts of the Apostles;

Origen, Exhortation to Martyrdom Supporting witness

In the Acts of the Apostles also, Stephen, in his other testimony, says, Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...t ancient times perhaps may have had the sacrament as their own exclusively, to examine the present Christian system, as if, though it is also from God, it might be different from what came before, and besides, therefore opposed to it also in its rule of life, so that its Wisdom does not know how to murder her own sons. Evidently, in the case of Christ, both the divine nature and the will and the sect are different from anything previously known. He will either have commanded no martyrdoms at all, or else those that must be understood in a different sense from the ordinary. He would be such a person as to urge no one to a danger of this kind, and to promise no reward to those who suffer for Him, because He does not want them to suffer. And therefore He says, when setting forth His chief commands, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The next saying indeed applies first to all without restriction, then especially to the apostles themselves: "Blessed will you be when men revile you, and persecute you, and say every kind of evil against you, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, since very great is your reward

Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius Supporting witness

...g praise to God, the giver of all good things, and expressed our gratitude for the happiness of the holy martyr. We have informed you of both the day and time of these events so that, by gathering together at the time of his martyrdom, we may have fellowship with the champion and noble martyr of Christ, who overcame the devil and completed the course he desired out of love for Christ, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory and power be to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, forevermore! Amen.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

...He truly suffered, died, and rose again. As [Paul] says, “If Christ has indeed suffered and was the first to rise from the dead.” And again, “In that He died, He died to sin once, but in that He lives, He lives to God.” Otherwise, what would have been the point of enduring captivity if Christ had not died? What is the value of patience, or of bearing stripes? And why do events like the following matter: Peter was crucified; Paul and James were killed by the sword; John was exiled to Patmos; Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews who killed the Lord? But, in truth, none of these sufferings were in vain, for the Lord was truly crucified by the ungodly.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...against Naboth in Samaria, and the multitude of the Jews against our Lord in Jerusalem, and against Stephen, His first martyr. Therefore, let the witnesses be meek, free from anger, fair, kind, prudent, self-controlled, free from wickedness, faithful, and religious. The testimony of such people is firm because of their character, and true because of their way of life. But do not accept the testimony of people of a different character, even if they seem to agree together in their evidence against the accused. For it is ordained in the law: “You shall not be with a multitude for wickedness; you shall not receive a vain report; you shall not consent with a multitude to pervert judgment.” Exodus 23:2 You should also know the accused person well, especially what he is like in his conduct and way of life. Ask whether he has a good reputation in his life, whether he has been blameless, whether he has been zealous in holiness, whether he loves widows, strangers, the poor, and the brothers, whether he is not given to filthy lucre, whether he is not extravagant or wasteful, whether he is sober and free from luxury, or instead a drunkard or a glutton, and whether he is compassionate and ch

Tertullian, Against Praxeas Supporting witness

He is seen by Stephen, at his martyrdom by stoning, still sitting at the right hand of God Acts 7:55 where He will continue to sit, until the Father shall make His enemies His footstool.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

13. But that both the apostles and their disciples thus taught as the Church preaches, and thus teaching were perfected, wherefore also they were called away to that which is perfect— Stephen, teaching these truths, when he was yet on earth, saw the glory of God, and Jesus on His right hand, and exclaimed, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” These words he said, and was stoned;

Acts 7:55 Direct teaching

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.