Aftermath of Stephen's Execution

Luke's documentation of the gospel progress after Pentecost follows the outline of Jesus' charge to the disciples just before He ascended to the Father's right hand. They were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised out-pouring of the Spirit. When that day came, they would receive power to be His witness both in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and unto the ends of earth (Acts 1:8). However, in the days following Pentecost, the disciples were content to remain in Jerusalem. The infant church was growing exponentially. The Jews were becoming alarmed, first warning then threatening the apostles to stop preaching in Jesus' name.

A major shift takes place when Stephen, a Hellenistic Jew, is arrested, tried, and stoned for blasphemy. His death unleashed a violent persecution against the church, scattering the believers (accept the apostles) out into all the regions of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). Acts 1:8 begins to be fulfilled in Acts 8:1.

The first verses of Act 8 give us a synopsis of the events leading to the gospel's advance into the whole earth as Jesus intended. We are introduced to Saul (who becomes Paul, the great missionary of the gospel), the agent of the persecution. He is more than enthusiastic in mission. Driven by his own misdirected zeal for God, Saul's goal is to destroy the church completely, thus ending the message of Jesus permanently.

We are also introduced Philip, Stephen's partner-servant in the responsibility of caring for the widows (Acts 6:1ff). Luke turns our attention to Samaria, the focus of next week's message.