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Throughout Christ ministry on earth the religious Jewish community, mainly the Pharisees saw Christ as a man full of blasphemy as He proclaimed to be the Son of God. As Stephen is preaching he is making the same claims about Christ, which Christ made Himself as well. The Son of Man is a reference to Christ having dominion over creation as the creator, which the Jews rejected, and considered blasphemy. In which, Paul also references in Colossians 1:15 Early in the book of Acts Peter reference David ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”  Now, it seems there is a crescendo in the book of acts in reference to the persecution that leads to a climax of Stephen being the first Martyr. In the midst of the climax of persecution. Stephen is expressing the exact reference that David proclaimed in his life, at that very moment, the Jews were enraged. The major difference being the exception of Christ standing. There are many viable theological implications to this, I believe that a few can are for sure true. One, Stephens proclamation is a fulfillment of Christ prophesies given in Luke 22:69 [1] The Second is that Christ standing He is calling forth Judgments declaring that He is the final judge to come against the world, or on a lesser note that Christ is actually judging those who are persecuting Stephen, thus why Stephen makes the reference for their forgiveness. The proclamation of Christ the Son of man, and the position in which Christ was established, “at the right hand of the father”, was a persuasive justification for the rejection of Stephen’s message and the penalty of immediate stoning.

The Gospel of Christ primarily went to the Jews first then the Greeks. Starting in Acts Chapter 6 we can see the beginning of the inclusive Gospel[2] Before this time the gospel was being preached to the Jews. The establishment of the church began with God’s chosen in Chapter 2 and 3. Paul references this in Romans 1:16. The references to Christians is can be taken in essence a fortification in the community between the Jews and the Greeks. The Church at this point has grown and Christ included all of his creation. [3] To answer this question simply is, it is establishing Christ as the truth for all creation, and is presenting the inclusive Gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation.

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Stephen's dying vision of Jesus as "the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" is very significant.1 First, the title Son of Man is used by Jesus as he refers to himself in the four Gospels. It could be seen as Jesus referring to his humanity, humility and suffering. This title reveals that God became a man. Dale Ellenburg and John B. Polhill state that "In the Gospels, but especially in John, 'Son of Man' means humanity and humiliation, but 'Son of Man' also means exaltation and glory."2 Stephen's usage of this title serves to confirm the claim in his speech that Jesus is the prophet of whom moses spoke and that He is also Messiah. Further, the fact that he saw Jesus standing, not sitting, is a sign of Jesus' authority and rule in judgment. It correlates with the vision Daniel had in which the Son of Man is given dominion and authority over everything (Daniel 7:13-14). Polhill says that "The standing position may thus depict the exalted Christ in his role of judge" against his accusers and is a "vision of the boundless reign of Christ" that is about to start amongst gentiles.3 Stephen's vision depicts Jesus' exalted state as His kingdom is about to be established across the earth.

Cornelius is described in Acts 10 as devout, fearing God, and prayerful. Indeed, God took note of his good works and heard his prayers.It was necessary for Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius because it was ordained by God so that the gentiles would also become a part of the Christian community. Luke is detailed in expressing how the Holy Spirit orchestrated this meeting for the purpose of the spread of the Gospel (Luke 10). This event was turning point in the book of Acts because it would become the "Gentile Pentecost."4 The implications of this event means that no longer will the Gospel be of the Jews and their proselytes, but it is for every nation, tribe and tongue, as Peter expressed in his sermon that "Jesus is Lord of all" (Luke 10:36). God, through this event, would also reconcile both Jews and Gentiles for His purpose. Polhill expresses that "Opposition to the Gentiles' baptism would be opposition to God, for God's leading of Peter and of Cornelius proved beyond doubt his intention to include them in his people."5 God had a bigger picture all along and although salvation came from the Jews it would include all people groups. Jesus is Lord of all.