"And Stephen, full of faith and power,did great wonders and miracles among the people."
Stephen was the first recorded Martyr in the book of Acts. Many millions more would join the ranks, in the history of the Church, down through the ages, paying the ultimate price for the sake of the Gospel. I recently heard a story,( which may be based on fact !) , of a modern Church service, of some 2000+ people, which was disrupted by two masked gunmen. They held their machine guns high and shouted...' Whoever is willing to take a bullet for Christ can remain ! the rest ...get out now !!!'.
Immediately, some 90 percent of the congregation fled from the buliding in sheer panic. The two gunmen then approached the Pastor, shouldered their weapons and said...'Okay Pastor, we've got rid of the hypocrites, now continue the service' !!!
Who knows whether we may be in such a position as Stephen one day ? with lawlessness, ungodliness and evil, increasing exponentially, in our times (2Tim.3:1-5), it could be the case for us. As we study Stephen's answer to His critics, we see that he was a man with only ONE fear...The Fear of God !!! As we seek those things which are above (Col.3:1ff), we will be 'on track' ...for Glory.
May The Lord Bless you.