Acts 8:1-13
Scattered by Persecution
Read the passage
1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.
6The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
8So there was great joy in that city.
9Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
10and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”
11They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Saul approves Stephen's death. God-fearing men bury Stephen and mourn deeply, while persecution scatters the church from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. Saul goes from house to house, taking men and women to prison.
The scattered believers preach the word wherever they go. Their grief and displacement are real, yet the message travels with them. Philip goes to a city in Samaria and proclaims Christ. People listen closely and see healings and deliverance from unclean spirits. The city is filled with joy.
Simon has long amazed the people with sorcery and claims to be great. They have paid attention to him, but now men and women believe Philip's message about God's kingdom and Jesus' name and are baptized. Simon also believes and is baptized, then follows Philip, astonished at the signs.
Luke will tell us more about Simon next. Here the change in the city is clear: attention is turning toward the gospel Philip proclaims. The message Jesus commissioned is reaching Samaria, even while His people in Jerusalem suffer and mourn.
Questions
1 Why did the believers scatter?
AnswerA severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem after Stephen’s death, scattering believers beyond the city.
2 What did the scattered believers do?
AnswerThey preached the word wherever they went, so pressure intended to silence the church carried the message into new places.
3 What did Philip proclaim?
AnswerHe proclaimed Christ to the people of Samaria, and his message was accompanied by signs that brought the city’s attention to the gospel.
4 What resulted in the city?
AnswerThe people listened to Philip, saw the signs he performed, and experienced great joy as many were freed from affliction.
What This Means for Us
The men who bury Stephen mourn him deeply. Trust in God's work does not require them to pretend the loss is good or easy. We can hold grief and hope together too.
If disruption has brought you to a new place, consider who is beside you now. A conversation about Jesus or an invitation to read Scripture may be possible even while your own situation is unsettled.
Remember displaced Christians in prayer and practical care. Their witness does not make their need for shelter, friendship, or safety less important.
Prayer
God, protect people who suffer for Jesus. Give scattered believers courage and make our homes places where your word can still be spoken. Amen.