While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59-60 In Stephen's story, Luke continues his major theme of traveling the Way and spreading the Word empowered by the Spirit. Stephen's martyrdom backstory begins in Acts 1:8. Jesus tells the apostles they would receive power from the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses in "Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The first century church is organizing, leaving the apostles too busy to to distribute food to the widows. Stephen, a minority Greek Christian, is ordained for the ministry of food distribution. Stephen takes this commission seriously and, empowered by the Spirit, exceeds this ministry by preaching and wonder-making. Stephen is brought before the council of apostles. He delivers a jeremiad of accusing, betraying and murdering the prophe...