How is Saul introduced when he first appears in Acts?
Saul first appears in Acts as the young man at whose feet the witnesses laid their clothes when Stephen was stoned. He is introduced as the persecutor of Jewish believers, heading up a terrible persecution, and Acts 8:1 says he was consenting unto Stephen's death.
Les explains that after Stephen's stoning there is a change of operation. Saul is introduced at the scene as a young man holding the clothes of those who stoned Stephen. Then he is identified as the persecutor of these Jewish believers, heading up a terrible persecution. It was so vicious that Acts 8:1 says Saul was consenting unto Stephen's death, and at that time there was a great persecution against the church. Les warns that the word "church" must be used according to its setting, since the Greek word ecclesia simply means a called-out assembly. He illustrates this with the Ephesian mob that cried, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," noting the same word was used and they were an ecclesia.
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
How is Saul introduced in the book of Acts?
Saul, later Paul, is introduced in Acts as the persecutor of these Jewish believers; he consented to Stephen's death and headed up a terrible persecution against the church.
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.