Theory question 106
Persecution of the Early ChurchWhat happened to Stephen after he had referred to the Jewish Council as stiffnecked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears? Of what significance was this episode to the Early Church?
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The council were enraged and ground their teeth at him (Acts 7:54).
Full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand (Acts 7:55-56).
They cried out, stopped their ears and rushed together upon him (Acts 7:57).
They cast him out of the city and stoned him; the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58).
Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them", and fell asleep (Acts 7:59-60).
Saul consented to his death (Acts 8:1).
Significance: Stephen became the first Christian martyr; a great persecution broke out and believers were scattered, spreading the gospel to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1-4); Philip evangelised Samaria; Saul, who witnessed it, was later converted; showed courage and forgiveness for Christians to copy; the gospel moved beyond Jerusalem.
Describe Acts 7:54–8:1, then show its effects on the church.