Acts 6-8:1

The apostles were being pulled in many different directions, because of how large the church was growing, and they called upon the church to select some men to be servants in the church, which we typically refer to as deacons today (table servant is the meaning of this word, like a waiter).  Among the seven men chosen was Stephen, who ended up also being a great witness for Christ, and many miracles were performed through him.  The Jews were jealous of all that was happening, and men came forward and lied about the things Stephen was teaching, indicating that he was denying the law of Moses.

Stephen was called before the Counsel, and given the opportunity to testify in his own defense.  In that he proceeds to give a lengthy history of the nation of Israel, indicating how much he knew about the law and their history.  He tells them time after time how often the leaders in Israel had failed to obey God, and then at the end how they had conspired to crucify the Son of God, Who was sent to them from God.  This was the last straw for the Counsel, and they rose up and proceeded to have Stephan stoned to death, and he became the first martyr for the Name of Jesus.  Saul of Tarsus, who would later become the apostle Paul, was present at Stephen’s stoning.