PERSECUTION SCATTERS THE CHURCH
Acts 8:1-25
I. Persecution (vs.1-4)
a. Saul, who watched the clothes of those who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:58),
was consenting to Stephen’s death. How does this fit with the persecution
that was coming against the church?
b. Who was and who was not scattered from Jerusalem?
c. Stephen is recognized as the first martyr of the church. Who took care of
his body?
d. What did Stephen’s death embolden Saul to do to the church?
e. What positive came from the church being scattered, and how does this
action fulfil Acts 1:8?
II. Philip Goes to Samaria (vs. 5-13)
a. What would be significant about Philip intentionally going to Samaria and
preaching the Gospel? (John 4:19)
b. Did the Samaritans respond favorably to the Gospel?
c. What helped the Samaritans believe the message they were hearing?
d. What was Simon’s reputation in Samaria, and what ‘power’ did he have
over the people?
e. When the people heard the Gospel, they believed and were baptized.
What about Simon?
III. The Apostles Come to Samaria (vs. 14-25)
a. Why would the church in Jerusalem send Peter and John to Samaria?
b. Did these believers speak in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit?
c. What evidence points to Simon not being saved?
d. Can a person believe the Gospel, be baptized, and not be saved?
IV. Application. How can you know for certain when you are saved? 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 3:12-13
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