Saul was greatly esteemed by the Jews for his zeal in persecuting the believers. After the death of Stephen, he was elected a member of the Sanhedrim council, in consideration of the part he had acted on that occasion. This learned and zealous rabbi was a mighty instrument in the hand of Satan to carry out his rebellion against the Son of God; but he was soon to be employed to build up the church he was now tearing down. A Mightier than Satan had selected Saul to take the place of the martyred Stephen, to preach and suffer for his name, and to spread far and wide the glad tidings of salvation through his blood.{LP 20.2}

Saulus blev værtsat højt af jøderne for hans iver for at forfølge de troende. Efter Stefanus’ død blev han valgt som medlem af Sandhedrim-rådet, i betragtning af det han havde gjort ved denne lejlighed. Denne lærte og nidkære rabbiner var et mægtigt redskab i Satans hånd til at gennemføre sit oprør imod Gud, men skulle hurtigt ansættes til at opbygge den kirke som han nu rev ned. En mægtigere end Satan havde udvalgt Saulus til at tage den martyrdræbte Stefanus’ sted, til at forkynde og lide for hans navn, og til at udbrede og frelsens glade nyheder gennem hans blod.