Good morning,
In the Book of Acts, explicit references to “persecution” primarily highlight the intense opposition against the early church, notably in Acts 8:1, which mentions a “great persecution” in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers. Other key instances include persecution acts in Acts 5:17-42 and Acts 8:1-4.
Persecution
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)
Saul persecutes the church (Acts 8:1, 3, 9:1-4, 22:4-5)
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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