Acts 8:1-3
1 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.
Quickword: The Persecuted Church
Stephen was killed after speaking the truth about the history which shared the account of how the religious leaders over time rejected the teachings of prophets sent by God which culminated with the crucifixion of Christ. Saul was present at the stoning of Stephen and held the coats of those who killed him. Saul was now consenting to the violence against the church and the believers were spread throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except the Apostles. Saul made havoc of the church , entering every house, dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
The persecution of the church is nothing new. We are blessed in the United States for the most part to be able to freely worship the God of our choices . However there are persons even today who are facing persecuting throughout the world.
- We must be careful knowkingly or unknowingly in consenting to the persecution of the church.
- Due to the persecution of the church, followers were dispersed throughout several regions ultimately carrying the Gospel message.
- As Stephen was laid to rest, Saul began to make havoc of the church in opposition to the growing church.
My brothers and sisters, we must stay aware of the enemies of the cross. We can become part of the persecution of the church. Saul went from holding coats of those who stoned Stephen to wrecking havoc among the believers. Saul’s actions would ultimately lead to a face to face encounter with the Savior. What was meant for evil was eventually turned to good!
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