Who led the persecution of the early Jerusalem Christians?
Saul, later known as Paul, led the persecution of the early Jerusalem church. He consented to Stephen's death and aggressively worked to stamp out Jews who had embraced Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. Paul later wrote that this persecution plagued him throughout his life.
Les explains that Acts chapter 7 records Stephen's stoning in 36 A.D., and Acts 8:1 says Saul was consenting to his death. Les teaches that Saul was the leader of this terrible persecution, seeking to stamp out any Jews who had embraced Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. Paul later wrote that it plagued him throughout his remaining life that he had persecuted the Church of God at Jerusalem. Les also points to Acts 22 and 26, where Paul recounts his conversion on the road to Damascus, when the Lord struck him and converted him, bringing him to realize that Jesus was indeed the Christ.