Acts, Chapter 8 - Saul Persecutes the Church

Acts, Chapter 8 - Saul Persecutes the Church

8 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

-          Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Stephen) to death

o   This is why did nothing when they laid their coats by him to stone Stephen

-          And that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem

o   The evil leaders went into their rage and killed Stephen

o   When it was over, they continued in their rage “on that day”

-          And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria

o   All the Christian believers split (because they were afraid of these evil religious leaders and that they may be killed too)

o   Except the apostles (notice they didn’t run; they remained in faith)

-          Some devout men buried Stephen

o   And made loud lamentation over him (loud wailing noises)

o   They obviously weren’t afraid of who saw them either

o   They were devout (devoted to God, strong in the word and in the Spirit)

-          But Saul began ravaging the church

o   Entering house and after house (it was extreme and personal)

o   And dragging off men and women (it was violent)

o   He would them in prison (he would imprison them)

o   This shows the hardness of Saul’s heart and zeal against Christians

§  He was sincerely wrong!

Philip in Samaria

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

-          Therefore (because of this great persecution in Jerusalem)

-          Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word

o   All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (so the persecution caused the Word to spread) 😉

-          Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them

o   Samaria was full of half-breeds (half Jews and half greeks)

o   The Jews hated the people in Samaria (they thought of them as dogs)

o   So this was a place the Jews were not likely going to go

o   Philip does not see them as dogs; he sees them as God’s children (valuable)

o   So he goes preaches there (it was certainly safer then Jerusalem at the time)

o   But I like the fact that he kept proclaiming Christ in-spite of the persecution

 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

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