Topical Bible: Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen

◄ Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Persecution of Christians

Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is a pivotal figure in the New Testament, renowned for his transformation from a zealous persecutor of Christians to one of the most influential apostles of Jesus Christ. Before his conversion, Saul was a fervent adherent of Judaism and a Pharisee, deeply committed to the traditions of his ancestors. His zeal for the Jewish faith led him to become a fierce opponent of the early Christian movement, which he perceived as a threat to the Jewish religious establishment.

The Book of Acts provides a detailed account of Saul's persecution of Christians. Acts 8:3 states, "But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison." Saul's actions were driven by his belief that he was upholding the purity of the Jewish faith by eradicating what he saw as heretical teachings about Jesus of Nazareth.

Present at the Stoning of Stephen

Saul's involvement in the persecution of Christians is most notably marked by his presence at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen, a deacon in the early church, was known for his powerful preaching and miraculous works. His bold proclamation of the gospel and his accusations against the Jewish leaders for their role in the death of Jesus led to his arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin.

Acts 7:58 records the moment of Stephen's execution: "They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul." This verse highlights Saul's role as a consenting witness to the execution, indicating his approval of the violent act against Stephen. Saul's presence at the stoning signifies his active participation in the early persecution of the church.

Consent to the Stoning of Stephen

Saul's consent to Stephen's death is further emphasized in Acts 8:1 , which states, "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death." This approval underscores Saul's commitment to his mission of suppressing the nascent Christian movement. His actions were not merely passive; he was an active participant in the efforts to eliminate the followers of Jesus, whom he viewed as blasphemers and a threat to the Jewish faith.

Saul's persecution of Christians and his involvement in the stoning of Stephen serve as a stark contrast to his later life as the Apostle Paul. His dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, as recounted in Acts 9, marks a turning point in his life and the history of Christianity. However, his early actions as a persecutor remain a significant part of his account, illustrating the profound transformation that took place through the grace of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 7:58
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 8:1,3
And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Nave's Topical Index