Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

1. Stephen was the first martyr for the cause of Christ. And Saul was there, an active participant in the death.

2. This may have been the beginning of the rise of Saul as a persecutor of Christians.

3. Persecutions arose in all areas around Jerusalem following the death of Stephen. Saul was a moving force (if not THE force) behind this rise in antagonism.

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Old Testament