Persecution of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ)

And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest …

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.