Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to vicious harassment. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Some pious men buried Stephen and deeply grieved over him. Saul began to wreak havoc against the church. Entering one house after another, he would drag off both men and women and throw them into prison. Those who had been scattered moved on, preaching the good news along the way. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and began to preach Christ to them. The crowds were united by what they heard Philip say and the signs they saw him perform, and they gave him their undivided attention. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many people, and many who were paralyzed or crippled were healed. There was great rejoicing in that city. (Acts 8:1-8, CEB)
Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Penned by Oscar Wilde is very true. If it was meant in the connotation it is now taken or not is to be debated. But in the above passage, we see the person most of us look to as the one who started the majority of congregations in the bible approving of the killing of Stephen the first martyr. Saul, who is Paul, was there when Stephen was stoned to death, and while the text says he held the cloaks of those doing the stoning and did not participate, the above text says he did approve of the stoning and Stephen dying.
So Saul has a past that is not favorable. Just like most of the towers of our faith.
Do not let your past, or anyone’s past get in the way of God’s love.
Love like Jesus.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 