Without a need to serve the widows, Stephen wouldn’t have emerged as a deacon. Because he became a leader, Stephen took advantage of opportunities to preach. Since he preached so passionately, the Jewish leaders arrested him and stoned him. Because of the persecution of the church, the message of the gospel was spread all over the region. And it is likely that at Stephen’s death, the first seeds of the gospel were planted in the heart of Paul—who would carry the gospel to the Gentiles.In this...