The First Martyr: Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Stephen—one of the seven chosen to serve tables, distribute food, care for widows. But Stephen was more than an administrator. Full of grace and power. Wonders and signs. The Spirit overflowed in him.

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen.

The Freedmen—Jews who had been slaves in Rome, now freed, now returned to Jerusalem. They had their own synagogue. And they argued with Stephen.