Joy In The Face of Persecution – Acts 8:1-8

Open your Bible to Acts 8

Let’s read starting in Acts 8, verse 1

Now Saul approved of putting Stephen 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 for the apostles. ² Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. ³ But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Therefore, those who had been scattered went through places preaching the word. ⁵ Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them. ⁶ The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what was being 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 or limped on crutches were healed. ⁸ So there was much rejoicing in that city.

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