Acts 8-11

The Stoning of Stephen Sets Off Severe Persecution

Saul was present at the stoning of Stephen and approved of his execution. There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and Believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

The Ministry of Philip marks the spread of the gospel to Samaria.

Philip, one of the Seven Helpers selected by the church, went to Samaria and preached the gospel of Christ there, with tremendous results as many accepted Jesus as their Savior. He then preached at other Samaritan villages as he traveled back to Jerusalem, where an angel sent him to an Ethiopian eunuch in a chariot on his way back to Ethiopia. He found him reading a scroll of Isaiah and helped him to understand it. The eunuch accepted Christ and Philip baptized him. The new Believer went on his way rejoicing. Afterwards Philip made his way to Cesarea, preaching to many towns along the way.

Saul of Tarsus is converted

Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians when the Lord met him on that road. It was a miraculous encounter; Suuddenly a light from heaven shone around Saul. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Saul obeyed, was aided in the city by a man named Ananias. He had met the living Christ, was completely changed, and for the rest of his life told people about that encounter. He later went as a missionary to many places, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. The Jews wanted to kill him, and the Believers feared him, so he was sent back to Tarsus,
his home town, to await instructions from the Lord.

The gospel spreads to Caesarea

Peter healed a man and brought a woman back to life. In Joppa he had a vision calling him to witness to Cornelius, a Roman Centurion stationed in Caesarea. He was a God Fearer (an informal believer in Judaism), who was wanting to know the Savior. Peter told him about Jesus, whereupon Cornelius and many others received Christ as their Savior. In Jerusalem, Peter was criticized by Jews who believed that Gentiles must be circumcised before becoming Christians. He offered his defense by telling them what had happened, and was encouraged to keep doing whatever the Lord commanded.

Antioch of Syria a center of Gentile conversions

A new center of operations for “Followers of the Way” was established at Antioch of Syria.* It was there that disciples of Jesus were first called, “Christians.” Most of the members of that church were Gentiles. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to take a look at the church and report back. When he reported, he was full of praises for the church. When the church at Jerusalem heard the report, they rejoiced and encouraged the Antioch church. Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Saul with him to Antioch, where both of them remained at Antioch for a year. Christianity started to spread among the Gentiles and gained in popularity with Gentiles. James, however, was killed and Peter was imprisoned. But Peter was miraculously freed from prison.

*The Church in Antioch
Acts 12:19-26
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

Theme of blogs for May 2-6, 2022:

Growth of the Church

Based on the Bible Book of Acts.
1. Monday, May 2: Growth of the Church – Beginnings (Acts 1-2)
2. Tuesday, May 3: Growth of the Church – Jerusalem (Acts 3-7)
3. Wednesday, May 4: Growth of the Church – Palestine and Syria (Acts 8-13)
4. Thursday, May 5: Growth of the Church – Advancing (Acts 14-28)
5. Friday, May 6: Growth of the Church – Advancing Still (Acts Unfinished)