Stephen, Stoned Martyr – Uncommon Church Man | Bible TCG
Updated: 2 days ago
Genesis Set Card 161/250
Stephen, Stoned Martyr is an Uncommon Man Being from the Church Age, costing 2 Faith with 1 Strength, 2 Hope, 3 Reach, and 2 Move. His Prophecy Ability deals 1 Damage to another Target Being and Gives that Being +2 Strength.
The Bible Story Behind Stephen, Stoned Martyr
Stephen was one of seven men chosen to serve the growing congregation in Jerusalem, and Scripture describes him as full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. He faithfully cared for practical needs while also speaking with wisdom and performing great wonders among the people. Those who disputed with him couldn't resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.
False witnesses brought Stephen before the Jewish council and accused him of speaking against Moses, the law, and the temple. Stephen answered by tracing Israel's history from Abraham through Joseph, Moses, the tabernacle, and Solomon, showing how the nation had repeatedly resisted the messengers God sent. Stephen, Stoned Martyr therefore presents a Spirit-filled witness declaring that Israel's long pattern of resistance had reached its height in the betrayal and murder of Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:59 — “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
When Stephen declared that he saw the heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God, the council rejected his testimony and rushed upon him. As the stones struck him, Stephen committed his spirit to Jesus and prayed that the Lord wouldn't lay the sin to his killers' charge. His final words reflected the mercy of Christ, who had also prayed for His enemies while suffering unjustly upon the cross.
Stephen's death couldn't add anything to the sacrifice of Jesus or atone for another person's sins. Christ alone was the spotless Savior who bore our guilt, died, was buried, and rose again. Stephen could face death with peace because the risen Lord had already conquered it and stood ready to receive His faithful servant.
A young man named Saul consented to Stephen's death and guarded the clothing of those who stoned him. Persecution then scattered believers from Jerusalem, but those who were scattered preached the Word wherever they traveled. The attempt to silence one witness helped carry the gospel beyond Jerusalem, while Saul himself would soon meet the risen Jesus and later become known in the Gentile mission as Paul.
Stephen, Stoned Martyr Bible TCG Strategy
Stephen, Stoned Martyr is a flexible early Being that can either help your own strategy or disrupt the Storyline. Because his Prophecy Ability can Target another Being, you can use it on a Friendly Being or an Enemy Being.
On a Friendly Being, Stephen can deal 1 Damage to activate Damage-based synergies while also Giving that Being +2 Strength. On an Enemy Being, he can deal 1 Damage, but that Enemy Being also receives +2 Strength, so choose carefully.
Synergies
Patience setup: Stephen can Damage another Friendly Being to help activate Patience.
Strength buff: Stephen Gives another Target Being +2 Strength.
Precision Damage: Stephen can deal 1 Damage to another Target Being, which can finish off a Being with 1 Current Hope remaining.
Questions and Answers
Q: What happens if Stephen Targets an undamaged Peter, Jewish Apostle?
A: Peter takes 1 Damage, activating Patience and Giving him Protect and Abundance. Stephen also gives Peter +2 Strength.
Q: What if Stephen Targets Paul, Truth Of Grace instead?
A: Paul takes 1 Damage and, if he survives, Patience Gives him +5 Strength. Stephen's +2 Strength stacks with it, taking Paul from 4 Strength to 11 Strength.
Q: Can Stephen finish off an Enemy Being with 1 Current Hope?
A: Yes. The 1 Damage can Exile the Being before the +2 Strength has any meaningful future use on the Storyline.
Q: What happens if Stephen's Damage is ignored by Anointing?
A: The Being takes no Damage, but Stephen still Gives it +2 Strength as the Ability continues resolving.
Q: If Stephen is Humbled after his Prophecy resolves, do the Target's Damage and +2 Strength disappear?
A: The Damage remains, and Humbling Stephen doesn't undo the completed Prophecy. The +2 Strength remains on the receiver unless that modifier is removed from the receiver itself.
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