Paul Imprisoned Every Christian He Could Find.

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

Paul, a pattern- A pattern of JESUS' LONGSUFFERING towards all of us!

Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 

Act 8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 

Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 

Saul (Paul) was CONSENTING unto Stephen's death.

Paul was guilty of murdering an innocent man in consenting to the stoning. Murder. A crime in the Israelite's religion worthy of death in return. Yet, in Paul's mind he was innocent of murder. Paul believed Stephen's death was justified. Blasphemy was also a crime worthy of death and to Paul, Stephen's blasphemy was believing in Jesus as being God's Son. Stephen laid the guilt of Jesus' death upon the very ones that would kill him just minutes later. The guilt was unrepentant of, the guilt was glorified, the guilty turned their sin into righteousness but they couldn't have been more wrong.

The man that revealed the longsuffering of Jesus Christ our Savior, did so firstly when he was forgiven of the death of not only Stephen, but of Jesus Himself.

Paul consented to Stephen's death. Paul consented to the death of the Savior. Paul was a very guilty man.

The great persecution against the church at Jerusalem was condone by Paul. The Christ followers scattered throughout the land- all but the apostles.

Devout men CARRIED Stephen to his burial and lamented his death greatly.

Saul(Paul) went on to WRECK HAVOC on the church.

Paul entered EVERY HOUSE.

Paul captured EVERY CHRISTIAN- men and women alike and put them in prison!

Such zeal! Such dedication to a cause! He left no house untouched. Just imagine how people thought of him, how his reputation was made among the Christians. He was a vile, vile man intent on destroying those who followed the Savior! The intensity of his purpose was unmatched. Persecute all Christ followers!  Just imagine those who ruled over Paul, how happy they must have been to have someone so incredibly dedicated to the destruction of Christ's followers. He was the best of the best in his devotion to what he truly believed was truth- and he was WRONG!

More on this tomorrow by the Grace and Mercy, the unfathomable love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord now and forever!