Consenting unto his death

As we close chapter 7 we see that Saul had been incorporated in with the murder of Stephen. As the angry mob picked up stones to kill the faithful deacon, they laid their coats with Young Saul. There is something to say about large masses of people who are in unison. The whole atmosphere of energy that must have surrounded Saul was incredible. It drove these men to violate their own moral code and religious upbringing under the standard of patriotism. They took the law into their own hands in a vigilante justice which was nothing short of a "kangaroo court." As they hurled the stones which began to break the skin of Stephen and crushing his bones, Saul instinctively cheered the men on who took the life of that innocent man. "FINISH HIM! FINISH HIM" Saul was consenting unto his death. As Stephen knelt down, he cried out for forgiveness for those hurling the fatal blows. As the stones struck this first martyr's head, chest, and defenseless body, Stephen maintained his Christlike testimony. As a shark senses the vulnerability of its prey, Saul was driven by an uncanny desire to persecute people of "this way." It was an act of patriotism which would drive these threats to the country and their way of life from popularity. He began his crusade by gaining permission from the high priest to further that unadulterated hatred for all followers of the treasonous Christ. Upon receiving permission and the full support of the Jewish religion, Saul set out to fulfill his venomous "calling." He was regarded as a minister of justice to rid the nation of these pestilent criminals. As Stephen was not yet buried, Saul began to cause havoc of the grieving church. He broke into homes and carried off mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and i am sure entire families who were "followers of this way."

Saul's goal was to snuff out this rebellious congregation and cease the preaching, teaching, and living in the name of Christ. No more would the temple be "threatened" and the holy laws of Moses be spoken against. No more would the common criminal Jesus be promoted among men.

As Saul oppressed the followers of Jesus, they just kept spreading their doctrine of this Christ fellow. Saul's ambition was no match for the very work of God which he attempted to silence. The Word of God abounded. Many people believed. This enraged Saul even more. (More to Come later)