How is Saul of Tarsus portrayed when he is first introduced?
Saul of Tarsus is first introduced in a negative light, standing by and holding the garments of those who were throwing stones at Stephen. He appears as a consenting witness to Stephen's stoning, not yet the apostle he would become. This introduction occurs as Israel is rejecting the Christ.
Les explains that at the point where Israel is rejecting everything concerning the Christ, the narrative introduces Saul of Tarsus. As he is introduced, he is not in a very good light: he is standing there holding the garments of those who are throwing the stones at Stephen. Stephen is stoned while calling upon God, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and kneeling down, crying with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," basically the same thing Christ said. Les notes that this same Paul is later regarded as one of the greatest men who impacted history, even credited with introducing Christianity to the Gentile world, and as the man who would go to the Gentiles without benefit of Israel and make all the difference to the rest of the world. Yet his first appearance here is unfavorable, as a consenting witness to Stephen's death.
Why is Saul of Tarsus not presented in a good light when he is introduced?
Saul of Tarsus is introduced unfavorably because he is standing by holding the garments of those stoning Stephen, linking him directly to that stoning. Stephen is praying that this sin not be charged to them, so Saul’s first appearance is as an associate of Stephen’s death, not yet as the apostle.
When was Saul of Tarsus introduced in the account?
Saul of Tarsus is introduced at the stoning of Stephen, standing by and holding the garments of those throwing stones. This occurs as Israel is rejecting everything concerning the Christ, and the account presents him not in a good light at that moment.