The Martyrdom of Stephen - Part 1

The death of Stephen is indeed a turning point for the Church. His preaching was one more attempt to bring the Nation of Israel, beginning with her leaders, to repentance. They, as their ancestors before, once again rejected the prophetic Word. The Nation would soon be judged, beginning with the destructionm of Jerusalem by Rome, in 70, leading to the diaspora.

Rather than do an expository sermon, as Peter had done on Pentecost, Stepehn, a Grecian (or Helenist), who would have been looked down upon by the "pure, righteous Jews, would explain the history of the Nation, with its Gentile foundation.

His message is one of transition that paves the way for presenting the Gospel to the Gentiles, which begins in the very next chapter of Acts.