Stephen the Martyr

54 eWhen they heard these things they were 8cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, fbeing full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the gglory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! hI see the heavens opened and the iSon of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And jthe witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, kreceive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, l“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Persecutes the Church

8 Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and athey were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and bmade great lamentation over him.