The horrific acts of Saul of Tarsus against Jesus followers begin in Jerusalem in ACTS of the Apostles 8; however his active participation in the death of Stephen and witness of the martyr’s trial in Acts 7 begin Luke’s account of the calling of Saul by the risen Lord Jesus.
ACTS 7 – Stoning Stephen to Death!
.. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts of the Apostles 7:58b-58 ESV
..“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul or Paul?
Saul of Tarsus had been a willing witness of the stoning of Stephen [ACTS 7] and now pursues followers of Jesus.
The horrific acts of Saul and his zealous reputation of violence precede him as Saul of Tarsus pursues Christians for trials and death.
Later he will become best known as Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, who himself will suffer persecution and death for witness of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts of the Apostles 8 & 9
As Christians we might be more comfortable to think of him as Paul, or the Apostle Paul or Paul Apostle to the gentiles.
However this powerful witness for Jesus Christ was born as Saul.
Early believers feared the acts of Saul of Tarsus, and for good reason.
These horrific violent acts of Saul of Tarsus are well-known among Jews and Christians, to Greeks and to Romans.
Listen, however, to Saul’s later confession of his former and forgiven sins:
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Paul’s description of himself in his first letter to Timothy 1:15 NKJV
Saul of Tarsus, a Jew of Jews as the Apostle later describes himself, persecutes Jesus Christ AFTER the Lord’s resurrection!
Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus, after which Saul will turn to the Lord for the rest of his mortal life. Yes, Paul was indeed the chief of sinners who persecuted the body of Christ, His Church. ACTS of SAUL persecuting Jesus would later lead to his long journey of suffering as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
- Go here for LATEST POST in ACTS series
a Brief Introduction to Saul of Tarsus
Returning to Luke’s Account of Peter & the Apostles
NEXT (in ACTS 9): Luke returns to his historical account of ACTS of Peter and the others..
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