How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him […] While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. (Acts 7:58-60, NRSV)
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him […] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:58-60, KJV)
Stephen is the first Christian (aside from Jesus) to pay the ultimate price. He makes it super classy by going out forgiving instead of cursing. Suffering doesn't have to make you mean.
Quote #5
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria[…] Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. (Acts 8:1, 3, NRSV)
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[…] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:1, 3, KJV)
After Stephen is killed, things get a bit tense for a while. Those who can't stand the heat (which is almost everyone) leave town and lay low for a bit. But that doesn't stop Saul, who is determined to make these Christians suffer.
Quote #6
The Lord said to [Ananias], "Go, for [Paul] is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." (Acts 9:15-16, NRSV)
The Lord said unto [Ananias], Go thy way: for [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:15-16, KJV)
It's time for some payback. God chooses Paul, who made the church suffer, and promises to inflict a little suffering on him in return. Oh irony, we love you.