Introduction
Stephen was a major figure in the early Church, and his death is an important event in Christian history. But how old was Stephen when he died? This article seeks to explore the biblical evidence for Stephen’s age at death, along with the contextual clues that help to draw a more accurate picture of the events surrounding his death.
Background of Stephen
The story of Stephen appears in Acts 6-8 of the New Testament, which provides some background information about his life. Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, meaning that he had grown up outside of Judea and was familiar with Greek culture and language. He had become a Christian and anointed “as one of the seven” candidates to serve in the Greek-speaking Hellenistic community of the early Church in Jerusalem.
In Acts 6-8, Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin to defend himself against the false charges of blasphemy brought by the other Hellenistic Jews. In the face of tremendous opposition and hostility, Stephen delivers a powerful defense of the truth of the Gospel. His discourse draws deeply on Jewish scripture, bringing to light the fact that their traditional forms of worship had become obsolete and that Jesus was the rightful heir to the throne of David.
The Death of Stephen
In the face of Stephen’s eloquence and the power of his words, the high priest calls for Stephen to be stoned to death. In response, many in the crowd begin to throw stones at Stephen until he passes away. However, what is interesting is that Acts 7:58 simply states “as they were stoning Stephen he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'”. With that said, there is no direct mention of Stephen’s age at the time of his death.
Measuring Stephen’s Age
However, there is indirect evidence that can help to make an educated guess about Stephen’s age at the time of his death. The first clue can be found in the book of Acts, Chapter 6. The text states that in the selection of seven people to serve, they made sure to “look for men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom they could appoint to the task”. This suggests that the seven were likely to be older, experienced members of the early Church, suggesting that Stephen was likely in his forties or fifties when he was martyred.
The second clue comes from the book of 1 Timothy, where we are told that Timothy was a young man when he became a disciple of Paul. Since this happened after Stephen’s death, it is reasonable to assume that Stephen was older than Timothy, suggesting that Stephen was in his late fifties or sixties when he died.
Implications for Today’s Christian Church
The death of Stephen is a reminder of the courage and faithfulness of those who serve in the Lord’s Church. His story should serve as a reminder to Christians today to be bold and faithful to their faith, no matter the cost. Likewise, Stephen’s age at death serves as a reminder that our time on earth is limited and that we should strive to make the most of it. Despite the danger and uncertainty, Stephen chose to stand for what he believed in and, in doing so, serves as an inspiring role model for all of us.
Other Cultural References
The death of Stephen has been a mainstay of Christian literature and culture ever since. From the Lausiac History of Palladius to the martyrologies of the Middle Ages, Stephen’s death has been remembered and celebrated as an example of Christian martyrdom and bravery. In addition, Stephen has become a widely revered saint in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, with his feast day being celebrated annually on December 26th.
Apotheosis
Finally, the death of Stephen is often seen as a kind of “death-in-life” or apotheosis. The ultimate faithfulness of Stephen in standing for the truth of the Gospel resulted in him receiving a heavenly reward that transcended the pain and suffering of this life. It was a faithfulness that was ultimately rewarded, with Stephen being ushered into the presence of God, even as he was being stoned on Earth.
Truth and Consequences
The death of Stephen is a vivid reminder of the consequences of fidelity to the truth. Despite opposition and hostility, Stephen was able to stay true to the gospel, even unto death. His example shows us that our commitment to the truth is more important than any earthly reward or recognition. This truth still resonates in the Church today, and Stephen’s death serves as a lesson to all that following God is worth any cost.
Obedience Amid Persecution
The death of Stephen also serves as an example of obedience amid persecution. When confronted with the pressure to recant his faith, Stephen chose to obey God’s commandments and remain true to the truth of the Gospel. In the face of immense opposition, Stephen showed his purity and without hesitation, proclaimed the Word of God. His faithfulness serves as a reminder to all Christians today of the power of boldly and courageously obeying God.
Absolute Faithfulness
The final lesson of Stephen’s death is that absolute faithfulness to God is achievable. Despite his own mortality and the threat of death, Stephen remained steadfast in his faith and refused to compromise. His faithfulness was so complete and all-encompassing that even as he was being stoned, he chose to call out to Jesus and entrust himself to his care. This is an example of basing our lives solely on God, and providing Him with our trust and faith, even in our darkest moments.
