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ADA030
Saul and the martyrdom of Stephen
Article ADA030 examines Acts 8.1-3: the first appearance of Saul of Tarsus, who approves of Stephen’s martyrdom, and the beginning of a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. The scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria, far from being a defeat, providentially becomes the driving force behind the spread of the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ promise in Acts 1.8.
Acts 26.9-11 (King James Version) :I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org