Who is the man introduced in Acts at the point Israel rejects Christ?
The man introduced at that point is Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. He is the one who would go to the Gentiles without benefit of Israel, and he became the man credited with taking Christianity to the Gentile world, standing by as Stephen was stoned.
Les teaches that at the very point Israel is rejecting everything concerning the Christ, the narrative introduces the man who will go to the Gentiles without benefit of Israel. He notes that this man is first shown in a bad light: Saul of Tarsus is standing there holding the garments of those throwing stones as Stephen is stoned. Les also points out that a news magazine cover story listed the Apostle Paul among men who made an impact on history, giving him credit for introducing Christianity. Normally people say Jesus Christ introduced Christianity, and Jesus is the foundation and basis of it, but Les emphasizes that Paul took it out to the Gentile world. Next to Christ, he says Paul and Moses are the two greatest men who ever lived and had the greatest impact on human history. Stephen, meanwhile, called upon God, saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,' and then kneeled and cried, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,' basically the same thing Christ said.