Stephen, a man "full of grace and power," spoke with "wisdom and the Spirit". He proclaimed the gospel of Christ, but there were some who disagreed with him. There was a great difference between the behaviour of Stephen and his adversaries. They shouted and covered their ears and rushed at Stephen, dragging him away to stone him. Saul, before his encounter with Christ, watched and approved of this first martyr being put to death. Like Stephen, we too need to take a stand for Christ, but we must realize that there is a cost for doing so.

Jesus was sending the twelve disciples to cure the sick and cast out unclean spirits. He warned them that they would be opposed by others who would try to harm them. They were not to worry about what they would say because the Spirit of God would speak through them. Those who endured would be saved. Stephen was an example of what Jesus said as the Holy Spirit gave him the words to speak because he continually looked to God for strength. He was able to endure to the end and became the first martyr of the Church. May we be willing to take a stand for the sake of the Gospel and to put our trust in the Lord to speak through us.