“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.”
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' - in his final moment, Stephen prays to 'Lord Jesus' (Kyrie Iēsou), addressing the risen Jesus directly as Lord. The petition 'receive my spirit' (paralambane to pneuma mou) echoes Jesus's own death prayer (Luke 23:46), 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' Stephen's prayer mirrors and continues Jesus's death, establishing martyrdom as participation in Christ's passion.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion he had seen. Acts 7:44 Even when there was a Tabernacle, yet there were no sacrifices. Did ye offer unto Me slain beasts and sacrifices? Amos 5:25 There was the tabernacle of witness, and yet it profited them nothing, but they were consumed. But neither before, nor afterwards, did the miracles profit them anything. Which also,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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