The Jewish elders and teachers of the law came to Stephen, grabbed him and brought him to a meeting of the Jewish leaders. They brought in some men to tell lies about Stephen. They said, “This man is always saying things against this holy place and the law of Moses.”
But Stephen spoke to the leaders and corrected them.
When the council members heard Stephen’s speech, they were angry and furious. But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side. Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
THE STONING OF STEPHEN
The council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all attacked Stephen and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. Meanwhile, the men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!” He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don’t blame them for what they have done.” Then he died.
Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.
THE CHURCH PERSECUTED AND SCATTERED
At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord’s followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.
The Lord’s followers who had been scattered went from place to place, telling the good news.