Against whom was Saul's persecution in Acts 8 directed?
Saul's persecution in Acts 8 was directed against Jewish believers, the church or assembly at Jerusalem. After Stephen's stoning, a great persecution scattered these Jewish believers throughout Judea and Samaria; Saul was consenting to Stephen's death. This is the persecution running rampant especially in Jerusalem and Judea seven years after Pentecost.
Les explains that Acts chapter 8 is about seven years after Pentecost, when Saul's persecution had been running rampant especially in Jerusalem and Judea against Jewish believers. After Stephen was put to death by stoning, Saul consented to his death, and at that time a great persecution arose against the church, the assembly at Jerusalem. Because of that persecution, the Jewish believers were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
More Questions
What was Saul of Tarsus's involvement in Stephen's death according to Acts 8:1?
In Acts 8:1, Saul of Tarsus was consenting to Stephen's death, and the Greek likely makes it stronger that he was actually promoting his death.