Jun 26, 2017
The deacon Stephen was a powerful preacher and was doing signs and wonders among the people as well. This attracted the attention of the Hellenized Jews attending synagogues in Jerusalem where Stephen must have been attending. Using false witnesses they accused Stephen of speaking blasphemous words against “Moses and God.” The result was that Stephen was apprehended by the religious authorities and brought before the Council of Israel, the Sanhedrin. The prime accusation was that Stephen was preaching that Jesus of Nazareth had said He would destroy the temple and change their religion.