Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 8:1-2
Saul was consenting to Stephen’s death. The word translated “consenting,” means much more than a silent approval, even in a positive direction. It could well be translated: to be “gratified or pleased,” or as the NASB states: “Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.” We already know it, but Saul was an active, murderous persecutor of Christ’s Church. But God… God saved Saul and made him a chief Apostle! You never know what God may do!
Persecution arose. This was the starting gun that began the race to erase the Church by those who hated Christ. The persecution first came from the Jewish religious leaders for religious reasons. Only later did it come from the Roman civil authorities, for political reasons. But both reasons were for the sake of control. Persecution has always come from either or both: religion or the state, and always for the sake of control. Why? Because the Church of Jesus Christ must ultimately obey Christ rather than religion or politics.
A great lamentation was made. It is common in these days to not have “funerals,” or even “memorial services.” Instead, even Christians frequently have “celebrations of life.” In scripture, deaths were times of mourning. We not only mourn the loss of a deceased loved one, but everyone in attendance is brought face to face with the reality of mortality. This makes funerals possibly the best times to preach the gospel. The gospel is a comfort to the redeemed, and a warning to the lost. If you are alive when I die, nice words about my life are fine (if there are any to be said); lamentation is appropriate if you happen to love me. But most importantly someone must preach the gospel, comforting the elect, and calling the lost to faith and repentance!