Ste·phen /ˈstivən/



 Stephen
      n : English writer (1832-1904) [syn: Sir Leslie Stephen]


 Stephen
    one of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel.
    He was the first Christian martyr. His personal character and
    history are recorded in Acts 6. "He fell asleep" with a prayer
    for his persecutors on his lips (7:60). Devout men carried him
    to his grave (8:2).

      It was at the feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, that
    those who stoned him laid their clothes (comp. Deut. 17:5-7)
    before they began their cruel work. The scene which Saul then
    witnessed and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and
    lasting impression on his mind (Acts 22:19, 20).

      The speech of Stephen before the Jewish ruler is the first
    apology for the universalism of the gospel as a message to the
    Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is the longest speech contained
    in the Acts, a place of prominence being given to it as a
    defence.



 Stephen, same as Stephanas