1. The Persecuted Church Acts 8:1-4 Act 8:1-4 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2) And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (3) As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (4) Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

2. Act 7:58 and they cast him (Stephen) out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 8:1a Now Saul was consenting to his death. First Blood

4. ...except the apostles. The Apostles of Jesus

5. Act 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great ( Gr. “mega”) lamentation over him. S”Devout” could be either Christian or Non-Christian Jews

6. Act 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (see Act 22:4; 26:10,11; I Cor. 5:9;Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6; I Tim. 1;13 ) Saul’s Intense persecution of Christians Persecuted the church beyond measure to completely destroy it. Went to the house of every Christian in Jerusalem Arrested Christian men and women and imprisoned them. Many were put to death in Jerusalem with Saul’s vote Punished them in every synagogue (Over 400 in Jerusalem alone) Compelled them to blaspheme He was enraged at them He chased them into foreign cities to arrest them

7. Act 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Gr evaggelion = gospel = good news Gr. Euvaggelizomenoi = sharing good news