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Did you know the name Stephen comes from the Greek Stéphanos meaning crown of honour? What is in a name?
As a child growing up I never liked any of my three names. My first, or Christian name of Deanne was almost unheard of in mid century Australia. Now and again there may be someone famous referred to by the name of Deanna, but mostly everyone was familiar with the name Dianne. I grew to dislike this name too because people would call me Dianne even if I gently reminded them more than once that my name is Deanne. I was named after Deanna Durbin the movie star who had a most beautiful soprano voice. In my whole life I think I could count on perhaps one hand, but for sure on two hands, all the girls I have met named Deanne. To this day people still have trouble calling me Deanne instead of Deanna, Dianne, Deane (boy’s name) or Diana, as well as incorrect spelling. All I wanted was for people to get it right or to have a simple familiar name that everybody could spell and remember as I just wanted to blend in and not be noticed.
My last name, also known as the surname, or maiden name, was Baum. German for tree. I was teased in primary school by children who would say “take out the ‘a’ and you have bum”. That was shameful and embarrassing to me then. I was shy and desired things to be polite and respectful. Oh how those times caused me anxiety and stress.
That just leaves my middle name...Stephanie. This name was given to me because it was also my mother’s middle name. Mum was born on December 26 which is the same day the Catholic Church decided to set aside for Stephen as his saint day. Stephanie sounded so old fashioned to me back then but I accepted it, quite glad that it was not my first name, and therefore did not think about it too much.
Since adulthood I have come to appreciate having an unusual first name and am thankful that my name is Deanne. Baum became likeable once I became a Christian, as God designed and made all the trees in this world. Trees have many endearing qualities such as filtering the air we breathe, providing shelter and protection to birds, owls and other small animals, shade from the sun, and food for koalas. Baum is a great name to have but now that I am married it is replaced with Trahan, which means silk. I came to learn that Stephanie is the English female form of Stephen. Wikipedia confirms this. The major reason I love this name now is that the first martyr from the early Christian Church was named Stephen. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with this courageous and humble servant of God?
From the Physical Stoning of Stephen to the Spiritual Crowning of Stephen
Stephen was a Deacon in the early Church of God and a disciple full of faith who did great wonders and signs amongst the people. He had a faithful servant’s heart full of humility and was therefore chosen by his brethren to serve others in the role of Deacon, including the most vulnerable, the widows, based on his good reputation. Acts 6:3 states that this Deacon had a full measure of God’s Holy Spirit as well as wisdom and power, which caused those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:9), when disputing spiritual matters with Stephen, to be at a loss, as they could not counteract his wisdom given directly by God’s Spirit. It is not too difficult to imagine these men, made up of Alexandrians, Cyrenians, Cilicians, and Asians, becoming outraged which then led to the sequence of events that ultimately cost Stephen his physical life.
We can read of Stephen’s account in Acts 6 and 7. His story is not a long one but it is a most powerful example of how not to fear in the face of adversity; to have the faith to stand up to whatever we may have to encounter; to fully trust and believe that God will give us the right words to use; and not to back down in the face of interference or objection to God’s way. Like Stephen we need to rely entirely on God to take care of whatever situation we find ourselves in, and know that if it is your time you will then be seemingly immediately raised in the resurrection.
What happened to Stephen is not too dissimilar to what happened to Jesus Christ. They were both falsely accused of blasphemy. Those in authority secretly stirred up the people, inciting them, which led to Stephen’s capture before being brought before the council. This also happened to Jesus. Both were found guilty from wrongful accusations by false witnesses. When Stephen was asked by the high priest whether these charges and accusations were true, instead of denying it he continued on with a sermon on salvation beginning with Abraham and concluding with their stiff necked ways and uncircumcised hearts and ears just like their forefathers (Acts 7:1-53). The soliloquy ends with Stephen accusing them of Christ’s betrayal and murder, and also receiving the law but not keeping it — tantamount to hypocrisy. That was the final straw, as it were, which unleashed their fury. Acts 7:54-60 describes how they were cut to the heart and gnashed at Stephen with their teeth. They threw him out of the city and stoned him. Just before he drew his last breath Stephen prayed to God asking that these men not be charged with their sin of murder; another similarity of events Stephen shared with Jesus before his death.
And so Stephen is asleep awaiting his resurrection, when he will receive his crown just like Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:8, and as Peter said in 1 Peter 5:4, and Isaiah said in Isaiah 62:3 and 28:5-6. We should take great strength from the words provided in Revelation 2:10 to the Church of Smyrna, which could also largely apply to us, His faithful of today: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”. Are we ready to face up to these challenges? Can we draw from the fine example of Stephen and not buckle under the pressure of persecution? As the day is fast approaching we need to remain close to God and pray earnestly daily for our Father to give us the strength, faith, and resolve to remain faithful until our last breath.