"They cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him.
Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him " (Acts 7,57). Stephen is celebrated as the Church's first martyr. The word "martyr" means literally "witness"; and Stephen is a lesson to all of us to stand up for what's right and true - through our bearing witness is unlikely to be as hazardous as it was for him.
Stephen had been accused of speaking against the temple and stoned without a trial. Although he recognized the importance of the temple, he knew that it was not more important than God. God is not limited; He doesn't live only in a house of worship, but wherever hearts of faith are open to receive Him (Isaiah 66,1). Solomon knew this when he prayed at the dedication of the temple (2 Kings 6,18). GOD WANTS TO LIVE IN US. Is HE living in you? ( Zon )