First ReadingActs 7:51—8:1a
From the Acts of the Apostles
51“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,you always resist the Holy Spirit!As your fathers did, so you do.52Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute?They killed thosewho foretold the coming of the Righteous One,of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.53You received the law as it was ordained by angels,and didn’t keep it!”
54Now when they heard these things,they were cut to the heart,and they gnashed at him with their teeth.55But he, being full of the Holy Spirit,looked up steadfastly into heavenand saw the glory of God,and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56and said, “Behold,I see the heavens openedand the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57But they cried out with a loud voiceand stopped their ears,then rushed at him with one accord.58They threw him out of the city and stoned him.The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.59They stoned Stephen as he called out,saying, “Lord Jesus,receive my spirit!”60He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice,“Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!”When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1Saul was consenting to his death.A great persecution arose against the assemblywhich was in Jerusalem in that day.They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,except for the apostles.