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SMH - Saul, Saul, Saul

Acts 7:56-58
"56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."

SAUL.
Saul who becomes Paul, the author of the Letter to the Romans and many other New Testament books. Paul's writings enrich our knowledge and experience of our Lord and Savior. Even his writings from prison are inspirational and encouraging. Paul is an amazing case study!

Here, in the seventh chapter of Acts, they have arrested a Jesus-follower named Stephen for speaking against the temple, Moses, and the Law. Most of the chapter is Stephen's defense. His arguments don't advance his own innocence as much as convict the Jews of their shortcomings. This enraged them and brought their anger to such an excessive level that they STONE Stephen to death.

"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Stephen is giving the blessing of seeing Jesus as he is being attacked and stoned. It must have looked like a riot or mob violence. "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."
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