Thematic Bible: In persecuting stephen
Thematic Bible
religious Intolerance » The jewish leaders » In persecuting stephen
With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentations over him. But Saul was laying waste the church. He was wont to enter into every house, and to drag off men and women, and to commit them to prison.
But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen, but were unable to withstand the wisdom and spirit with which he used to speak. Then they instigated some to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemy against Moses and against God;" and in this way they excited the people. read more.
The elders and the scribes rushed upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin. They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law. "For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses." Then all who were sitting in the council at once fixed their eyes upon him, and saw his face like the face of an angel.
The elders and the scribes rushed upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin. They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law. "For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses." Then all who were sitting in the council at once fixed their eyes upon him, and saw his face like the face of an angel.
With a loud outcry they stopped their ears, and rushed upon Stephen in a body, dragged him outside the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. So they stoned Stephen while he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."