In the New Testament, Stephen is described as the first Christian martyr.
The Book of Acts says Stephen was one of seven men chosen to help distribute food to widows in the early Jerusalem community. He is presented as a person filled with faith and the Holy Spirit who performed signs and spoke publicly about Jesus.
Acts 7 recounts Stephen’s speech before the Jewish council. After he accused his listeners of resisting God’s messengers, the crowd became hostile and stoned him. The account says Stephen prayed for forgiveness for those killing him, echoing Jesus’ concern for his executioners.
Stephen’s death is also connected to Saul, later known as Paul. Saul is described as approving of the killing and guarding the garments of the witnesses. Stephen’s story therefore appears just before Acts begins tracing the expansion of the Christian movement beyond Jerusalem.