How is Saul introduced in Acts right after Stephen's stoning?
Saul is introduced as the young man at whose feet the witnesses laid their clothes during Stephen’s stoning. Acts 8 then says he was consenting to Stephen’s death, and he appears as the persecutor heading up a vicious persecution against the Jewish believers.
Les explains that after Stephen’s stoning, Saul is introduced as the persecutor of these Jewish believers, heading up a terrible and vicious persecution. He notes Acts 8:1, where Saul was consenting unto Stephen’s death, and at that time there was a great persecution against the church. Les also observes that this marks a change of operation and cautions that the word “church” (Greek ecclesia) means a called-out assembly and must be understood by its context.
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 did Saul do at Stephen's death according to Acts 8:1?
In Acts 8:1, Saul was consenting to Stephen's death—that is, Saul approved of Stephen being killed.