In the period immediately after Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians were viewed as one of many local religions and were left alone. Only on occasion were believers silenced when their preaching threatened a public disturbance. But as time passed and the number of Christians multiplied a clash with the old order occurred. This first happened when Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem for preaching among the Hellenists that the sacrificial death of Jesus was more important than the letter of the Jewish law. To question the validity of the law was considered blasphemy. He was condemned and stoned to death.
Impact: The death of Stephen launched the first active persecution of believers. The arrest and execution of Christians became so frequent that they fled from the city for safety. Throughout Judea and Samaria they scattered, carrying with them the Gospel of Jesus.