During this time of the early church in Jerusalem, the Greek speaking believers complained against the Hebrew believers because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The apostles gathered with many disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” They then instructed the disciples to choose seven men who were of good reputation and full of the Spirit and of wisdom to be appointed and perform this duty so that they could devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The apostles then laid their hands on the seven chosen and prayed for them. Stephen was one of these men. And the Word of God continued to spread rapidly.
After some time, the religious leaders were angry at Stephen because of some of the great wonders and signs that he was doing. They created false witnesses accusing him of teaching against the law of Moses and against the Temple. Stephen was brought before the High Priest and the council, and he asked Stephen,
“Are these charges true?
Stephen answered by reminding them of God's faithfulness to the often rebellious Israelites and to His promises throughout the Old Testament. He walked through stories of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, even the prophets and the exile in Babylon, showing how the entire Old Testament was pointing to the Christ.
The Stephen said, “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”