Stephen: Unlikely Martyr (Intrepid Men of God) - Softcover

Haddad, Katheryn Maddox; Publishing House, Northern Lights

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1948462613 ISBN 13: 9781948462617

Publisher: Northern Lights Publishing House, 2017

Synopsis

Don't let the 17-year-old Stephen where the story begins fool you. He is enthusiastic but immature as he tries to defend the only true God in a hostile world. Follow him through his frightened teens. Then walk with him in his twenties as he gains inner strength, falls in love and marries, becomes a Christian and a deacon with healing powers. Stand tall with him when, now a giant in faith, he finally faces the greatest challenge of any human being: Death by his own choosing.
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In Antioch, Stephen's best friend is crucified for defacing its patron goddess, and the city turns on Jews.
He flees to Cyrene. There he meets Simon. Persecution against Jews is worse here. They try to keep Stephen out of the market, university and local Olympic games.
He decides the only solution is to pass himself off as a Gentile and start a secret synagogue with secret worship. When discovered, Stephen suffers at the hands of both pagan Gentiles and Jews.
Simon cannot handle the persecution any longer, so moves from Cyrene to Jerusalem. When Stephen visits Jerusalem for Passover, he sees Simon carrying the cross of Jesus. They both become Christians and the persecution starts all over again.
Stephen decides to move permanently to Jerusalem. Saul goes after them both. They rush to save each other's lives.

As Stephen takes his final steps toward the stoning pit, he can still hear his father in years past. "Take another step, Son. Now another. Hold your head high. Don't let them see weakness. You're doing fine. Now another step. I'm here, Son. I will never leave you. You're almost home."
This is a wonderful book to show how family and friends stick together when things go wrong until they are righted.

Historical background and discussion questions are at the end.

About this title

From the Author

Before Muslims convert to Christianity, they have to work through their fears of being killed for their faith.  It is their reality. Some never convert, not because they do not believe, but because of their fear of torture, life in prison, hanging or beheading. .In this book, I had Stephen go through the same things Muslims go through today--running away when a friend is caught a killed, hiding their identity as a Christian, and so on. The book begins with Stephen as a frightened 17-year-old, and takes him step by step through years of experiences, to make him the powerful preacher he became. My prayer is for Muslims who are thinking of becoming Christians to read this and find their own courage.  Pray for them..I spend an average of 300 hours researching each historical novel in ancient historians of that era, archaeological findings, the political situations of the day, prevalent religions, etc. At the end of each chapter are some discussion questions for reader groups.  Sometimes I CHANGE FONTS. That indicates (1) God speaking, (2) handwriting of notes, letters, and signs, (3) thoughts of the character not said aloud..
If you have questions or comments, please use the "contact me" form on my website at InspirationsByKatheryn dot com. I will immediately be notified of your contact in my email.

From the Inside Flap

What would you do if armed soldiers were going door to door in your neighborhood asking if you were a Christian or not, and killing you on the spot if you confessed that you were a Christian? Be honest with yourself. .This is the reality Christians lived in the first few centuries of Christianity.  It is still today a reality in places like the Middle East, China, much of Russia, parts of India, much of Indonesia, Somalia and Pakistan. .Do not judge Stephen's early years. We are not born with courage. It has to be developed. Gradually, Stephen worked through his fears and eventually became a powerful preacher.

About this edition

• Publisher: Northern Lights Publishing House
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1948462613
• ISBN 13: 9781948462617
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 497