The Stoning of Stephen and the Persecution of the Church
Acts 7:54-8:1
7
Chapter 7
54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth at him.55But being full of the Holy Spirit and gazing intently into heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56And he said, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Humanity standing at the right hand of God."57But they cried out with a loud voice, held their ears shut, and rushed at him with one mind.58They threw him out of the city and began stoning him. The witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.59And they were stoning Stephen as he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."60But he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Having said this, he fell asleep.
8
Chapter 8
1But Saul approved of his killing. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and all were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.