Faithful in Life, Fearless in Death

Full of the Spirit, Full of Courage

“As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ He fell to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’ And with that, he died.” — Acts 7:59–60

Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, didn’t begin his ministry preaching before crowds. He began by serving tables. Chosen to distribute food fairly in the early Church, Stephen was recognized for being “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). In obscurity, he was faithful. And when opposition arose, he responded not with fear, but with clarity and grace.

His speech before the Sanhedrin—cut to the heart. He traced Israel’s history and called out their repeated rejection of God’s messengers. He knew the cost of such truth-telling—and embraced it.

Dallas Willard once said, “Saints burn through the fog of this world by living in the reality of the kingdom of God.” Stephen’s eyes were fixed on that kingdom. His faith wasn’t dulled by fear, pride, or comfort. He saw Christ clearly—and reflected Him in his dying breath.

In his final moments, Stephen lifted his eyes and “saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). This vision strengthened him as stones rained down. But it was his last words that revealed just how deeply the life of Christ was formed in him:

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

“Lord, don’t charge them with this sin.”

G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “The Church persecuted is the Church pure.” Stephen’s death didn’t destroy the Church—it purified and empowered it. Saul stood watching, and that moment would one day shape his transformation into Paul, the great apostle.

Stephen’s legacy calls us to live for Christ before we ever speak of dying for Him. Faithfulness in small things prepares us for great ones. Courage grows in the quiet of daily obedience. May we serve, speak, and suffer, with our eyes on Jesus—just as Stephen did.

Prayer:

Lord, make us faithful like Stephen—clear-eyed, bold, and full of grace. Help us to live in Your kingdom reality today. Amen.