That St. Stephen was a Jew is unquestionable. The circumstance of his conversion to Christianity are not known, but we are told of him in the book of the Acts of the Apostiles, when, there being numerous converts, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, complaining that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. The Apostles assembled the faithful and told them they could not relinquish the duties of preaching and prayer to attend to the care of tables; and recommended to choose seven men of good character, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, who might superintend the business. The suggestion was approved, and the people chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch. These seven were presented to the Apostles, who praying, imposed hands upon them, and so ordained them the first deacons.

"And the word of the Lord increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great number of the priest also obeyed the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people." He spoke with such wisdom and spirit that his hearers were unable to resist him, and a plot was laid by the elders of a certain synagogue in Jerusalem. At first they undertook to dispute with Stephen; but finding themselves unequal to the task they suborned false witnesses to charge him with blasphemy against Moses and against God. The indictment was laid in the Sanhedrin, and he was dragged thither. The main points urged against him was that he affirmed that the temple would be destroyed, that the Mosiac traditions were but shadows and types no longer acceptable to God, Jesus of Nazareth having put an end to them. "And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel." Then leave was given him to speak, and in a long defence, set out in Acts 7:2-53, he showed that Abraham, the father and founder of their nation, was justified and received the greatest favors of God in a foreign land; that Moses was commended to set up a tabernacle, but foretold a new law and a Messiah; that Solomon built the temple, but it was not to be imagined that God was to be confined in a house made by hands; the temple and the Mosaic law were temporary, and were to give place when God introduced more excellent institutions by sending the Massiah himself.

The whole assembly raged at Stephen, but he, being full of the Holy Spirit and looking up steadfastly to the heavens, saw them opened and beheld the glory of God and the Saviour standing at the right hand of the Father. "And they, crying out with a loud voice.... with one accord ran violently upon him. And, casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' And when he had said this he fell asleep in the Lord." The reference to the witnesses required by the law of Moses, and the whole circumstances, suggest that this was not an act of mob violence, but a judicial execution.