Stephen: Courage in the Face of Opposition

In the early days of the Christian church, when followers of Jesus faced intense persecution, one man’s unwavering faith became a beacon of courage that still inspires believers today. Stephen, described in Acts as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,” demonstrated what it means to stand firm in faith even when facing the ultimate price.

Stephen’s Bold Stand

When we meet Stephen in the book of Acts, he wasn’t seeking confrontation. He simply refused to compromise his convictions. When he was brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges, he could have backed down, offered diplomatic words, or found a way to escape. Instead, he delivered one of most powerful defenses of the gospel. In Acts 7, Stephen boldly recounted Israel’s history, showing how they had consistently rejected God’s messengers—and were now rejecting Jesus, the ultimate messenger.

His accusers “were furious and gnashed their teeth at him,” but Stephen remained undeterred. Even as stones began to fly, he prayed for his persecutors’ forgiveness, echoing Christ’s words from the cross. His final moments revealed a man whose faith had grown so deep that persecution couldn’t shake it.

Lessons for Today’s Christians

Stephen’s example offers amazing encouragement for today’s Christians facing opposition. While most of believers won’t face martyrdom, we encounter subtler forms of persecution that can impact us and cause us to back down in their faith.  

Stephen shows us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s faithfulness despite the cost. He had counted the cost of following Jesus and determined that truth was worth defending regardless of consequences. His unwavering commitment reminds us that our faith isn’t a private hobby but a transformative reality worthy of public declaration.

Finding Strength in Difficulty

When we face opposition, Stephen’s example teaches us to focus upward rather than outward. Scripture tells us he “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.” This heavenly perspective gave him strength to endure earthly persecution.

Conclusion

Today’s believers can draw courage from Stephen’s legacy, knowing that faithfulness under pressure not only honors God but often plants seeds in unexpected hearts—including Saul, who would later become the apostle Paul.