Saul, who later became known as Paul, the apostle, is one of the most interesting characters in the Bible. He began as a mortal enemy of Christ and the church but ended up being one of the greatest Christians who ever lived. His conversion is a testimony of the power of the gospel.

When Paul arrives on the scene of the biblical narrative on the church, we find him watching over the garments of those who were murdering Stephen (Acts 7:58). In Paul’s own words, which he uttered after his conversion, he said, “I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him” (Acts 22:20).

By Acts eight the church was being so badly persecuted that everyone, except the apostles, had to leave Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). Can you imagine that? By this time there were probably close to ten thousand members of the church, if not more. That is quite an evacuation. The good news is the persecution the church experienced was the catalyst in fulfilling the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8.

The sad news, of course, was that Stephen would be greatly missed. He was an active member of the local church in Jerusalem. He was not idle, as so many in the Lord’s church are, but, in-stead, he had an active role in serving tables. “Luke is not talking about a soup kitchen here, but the administrative procedure of gathering and dispensing funds for the care of Christian widows in the Jerusalem church and making sure that the handling of those funds and their distribution was done fairly” (Holman New Testament Commentary). This work that Stephen did, along with six other qualified men, helped do away with a problem that was brewing in the church and facilitated a renewal of growth (Acts 6:7).

Stephen was a man with a spotless reputation, full of the Spirit (Acts 6:2), meaning he possessed the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Can we all agree that a man like this would be greatly missed by a local church? No wonder the brethren made great lamentation over him (Acts 8:2).

While the affliction that the church suffered at the hands of Saul ended up furthering the cause of Christ, the extent of his brutality is staggering. The record says that he ravaged the church. In the Septuagint, the Greek word for ravaging depicted merciless slaughter. Paul was out of con-trol, dragging both men and women out of their homes and committing them to prison (ver. 3). Paul would always be ashamed of his behavior and thought it made him unworthy to be an apostle of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:9). His early actions against the church will always serve as a re-minder of the danger of ignorance in the realm of religion (1 Timothy 1:13).

Through all this, the church did not waver. Quitting was not in them for they were 100% converted to Christ and His cause. Instead of hiding out, once they left Jerusalem, they went everywhere preaching the word (ver. 4). Will we follow in their steps? We should never let anything stop us from serving Jesus. Leaving the faith should never be an option, no matter what life throws at us. If we ever find ourselves being persecuted for the cause of Christ, let us have the courage and conviction of these early saints.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.