And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Yesterday we were introduced to the young man Saul, who guarded the clothes of those who were murdering Stephen. At the opening of chapter 8 it is definitely stated that he ”approved of his execution” – something we had already concluded. But it is now spelled out. He then went on the rampage, arresting and incarcerating believers. He really had the bit between his teeth. ‘  During those terrible days scenes were enacted which were destined to fill the heart of the future Apostle with most poignant sorrow.’ F.B. Meyer. Who would have thought that this man was the divinely chosen candidate to become the early church’s foremost theologian, evangelist and church planter? But he was, and his story will dominate the rest of ‘Acts’ from chapter 9 onwards. He too will find himself at the sharp end of persecution: beaten, imprisoned, suffering much.

Some years ago, a speaker at our church House Party kept saying, ‘Things can change!’ Indeed they can…and, by the grace of God, so can people!