Today's Bible reading is the 8th chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+8&version=NASB

In chapter seven we read that Saul had witnessed the stoning of the Church's first martyr, Stephen. In today's passage of scripture we find a more telling description of this man named Saul. The chapter begins by telling us that he was in "hearty agreement" with putting Stephen to death. These words indicate that he was pleased as well as consenting to the action taken against Stephen. Saul had been pleased to see him stoned to death. In contrast, we read that "some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him." Stephen's death had emboldened the opposition in their determination and efforts to stop those who were preaching and teaching in Jesus' name. The day Stephen was killed marked the day that a "great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem." Saul was clearly leading the persecution as he is said to have begun "ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he put them in prison." Saul caused much harm to the body of Christ. Besides being members of the body of Christ, these "men and women" were no doubt moms and dads whose homes included sons and daughters. I am confident that God had granted special grace to these brother and sister in Christ. For His church's sake, God would use the persecution to scatter its members throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, fulfilling the words that Jesus had spoken to His disciples as recorded in the first chapter. Where they went, the gospel message of Christ would go also. And where the gospel message was preached, lives would be changed as God opened the hearts and minds of people to the truth of His Son.