Final answer:
The first Christian martyr is generally considered to be Stephen, approved by Saul of Tarsus. In the case of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, it is their martyrdom in 203 AD that reflects early Christian values such as faith and solidarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Christian martyr, often regarded as Saint Stephen, was consented to be killed by Saul of Tarsus, who is better known as Saint Paul after his conversion to Christianity. Saul witnessed and approved the stoning of Stephen, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, specifically in Acts 7:58 and Acts 8:1. Stephen, who preached the Gospel of Christ, was brought before the Jewish council and accused of blasphemy against Moses and God. During his speech defending himself and his faith, he accused the Jewish leaders of betraying and murdering the righteous one, referring to Jesus, which enraged the crowd and led to his martyrdom.
However, regarding the question referring to the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, the documentation of this event does not clearly specify an individual who consented to their deaths. Instead, it is known that they, along with other Christian companions, were martyred in Carthage, part of Roman North Africa, in 203 AD. Perpetua's account describes her vision of ascending to heaven and her willingness to undergo martyrdom, which she ultimately directed when the executioner was hesitant, guiding the sword to her own throat.
The martyrdom of Perpetua is characterized by her strong faith, the desire for a saintly death, and her leadership in the face of persecution, which mirrors early Christian values such as sacrificial love, perseverance in faith, and solidarity among believers.