The Stoning of Stephen
The number of disciples during this time is growing. The Hellenistic jews were not happy because their widows were being ignored. Jesus’ twelve disciples got together and said it was the work of God to care for others including widows but they have to keep spreading the word of God and bringing and teaching others about him. So 7 of the disciples stayed and helped feed the hungry and care for them while the other 5 went out and kept doing what they were doing before. The disciples that stayed behind were Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.
Stephen was a man full of faith and knowledge. He performed many wonders and signs among the people. However, Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria and provinces of Cilicia and Asia started to argue with Stephen. They started saying he was speaking blasphemy against Moses and God.
One time Stephen said to the people,” You stiff- necked people! You are just like your ancestors! You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him- you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
After he said this he made them so mad that they dragged him out of the city and stoned him.