The Martyrdom of Stephen

Stephen checked all the boxes for being a leader in the Messianic Movement being created by the apostles. He was a strong believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, a great witness who was not afraid to share the truth because he was full of wisdom. When he was falsely accused by those who could not cope with the idea that Jesus was the Messiah and everything in their religion had to change, he stood firm and proclaimed Jesus as the truth. ​You might say his reward ​was they stoned him to death, ​and you would be speaking the truth. ​However, his real reward was God opening the heavens and receiving him as the first to sit at the right hand of God after Jesus' ascension.