“Those who listened to his words were stung to the heart.” —Acts 7:54

At the first Christian Pentecost, many who heard St. Peter preach were cut to the heart by his words and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:37). Three thousand of them repented, were baptized, and received the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38, 41).

After St. Stephen preached, the people hearing him were cut to the heart (see Acts 7:54). Nevertheless, they did not repent. Rather, “they ground their teeth in anger at” Stephen (Acts 7:54). “The onlookers were shouting aloud, holding their hands over their ears as they did so. Then they rushed at him as one man, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him” (Acts 7:57-58).

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