7. READ: ACTS 8:1-13
[Acts 8:1] "And Saul was there, giving approval to his
[Stephen's] death.
"On that day a great persecution broke out against the
church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered
throughout Judea and Samaria. [2] Godly men buried Stephen and
mourned deeply for him. [3] But Saul began to destroy the church.
Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put
them in prison.
[4] "Those who had been scattered preached the Word
wherever they went. [5] Philip went down to a city in Samaria and
proclaimed the Christ there. [6] When the crowds heard Philip and
saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to
what he said. [7] With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and
many paralytics and cripples were healed. [8] So there was great
joy in that city.
[9] "Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced
sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He
boasted that he was someone great, [10] and all the people, both
high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, 'This
man is the divine power known as the Great Power.' [11] They
followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his
magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good
News of the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself believed and was
baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the
great signs and miracles he saw."
a. What broke out against the church?
b. How did Saul begin to destroy the church?
c. What did Philip preach in Samaria?
d. How did they respond to his message?
