[SoothingDave]

You just told me on the last page how wonderful it was that Mary was "full of grace" before she was even born. So I guess that means Stephen was too.

No, once again I'm not sure you are trying to follow. Mary is full of grace before Christ was even born. This we know because the angel said so.

Stephen is given no such treatment in Scripture or tradition. We are not told that he was full of grace before Christ was born.

rather he became a believer, and like all believers, was filled with grace.

End of story.

Stephen is full of grace, that doesn't mean he was the first to be saved.

No, it doesn't. I'm glad you agree.

You are correct. the Bible evidence only tells us that Mary was full of grace before Christ was born. It des not tell us anyone else was or was not similarly saved. We can assume that St. Krusty, who we've never heard of, was also saved before Christ was born and was in fact the first person saved.

But baring any evidence of that, and considering that it is fitting that Jesus' mother is saved first, we will go with that tradition.

Now, who in the Bible is saved before Mary?

And who would be a better person for Jesus to choose to save first?

SD

[Invincibly Ignorant]

You are correct. the Bible evidence only tells us that Mary was full of grace before Christ was born.

Guess that means she was saved before Christ was born. So it wouldn't be too hard to believe that Enoch, Moses and Elijah were too.