Who is Stephen

I admire Stephen in the Old Testament because of his unwavering faith. He never once even flinched in his beliefs in God even in the face of death. It was Stephen's great faith even unto death that I admire.

While the thudding of rocks came upon him, enough to cause him to die from the blows, all the while, having strong enough faith, and in similitude to the actions of Jesus, forgiving those who persecuted them, because they knew not what they do; and to look up into the heavens to see, actually see God and Jesus on his right hand side. That to me is some awesome faith.

If it were me, and my friends were teasing me about knowing Jesus or believing in God, which is often times the case, I would probably cower down and not be so valiant like Stephen. Stephen was unwavering, he never denied the Christ nor his beliefs no matter how unpopular or how untraditional they may have seemed to those who stoned him. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God". It's safe to assume then that Stephen had a Pure heart because as he was dying he saw the heavens open.

Below is my favorite quote of the New Testament and it is this scripture and the acts of Stephen inside of it for which I named my own son Stephen. It explains why I admire Stephen so much.

The following scripture I have taken from the KJV of the New Testament, it is found in the book of Acts 7th chapter Stephen recounts the history of Israel and names Moses as a prototype for Christ. He then goes on to testify about the apostasy of Israel. My quote starts at the vers 51 and ends at the chapter close -

ACTS 7:51-60

" 51. Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52.Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53. Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened , and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears,and ran upon him with one accord,
58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

If only I could too be so valiant and unfaltering.