After the death of Stephen there arose against the believers in Jerusalem a persecution so relentless that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." Saul "made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison." Of his zeal in this cruel work he said at a later date: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison. . . . And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities." That Stephen was not the only one who suffered death may be seen from Saul's own words, "And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them." Acts 26:9-11. 104

Dette kapitel er bygget op over Apg 8

Efter Stefanus død udbrød der i Jerusalem en så ubarmhjertig forfølgelse af de troende, at "alle, undtagen apostlene, spredtes over Judæas og Samarias egne." Saulus "søgte at udrydde menigheden; han trængte ind i hus efter hus og slæbte både mænd og kvinder ud og fik dem sat i fængsel." Om sin iver for at udrette disse grusomheder sagde han på et senere tidspunkt: "Selv var jeg nu også af den mening, at det var min pligt heftigt at bekæmpe Jesu, nazaræerens navn, og det gjorde jeg også i Jerusalen; jeg lod mange af de hellige indespærre i fængsler ..... Og omkring i synagogerne lod jeg dem gang på gang straffe og forsøgte at tvinge dem til at tale bespotteligt. Ja, jeg gik videre i mit raseri mod dem og forfulgte dem lige til de udenlandske byer." At Stefanus ikke var den eneste, der led døden, kan man se af Saulus egne ord: "Og når man ville henrette dem, stemte jeg for det!" Apg 26,9-11.