1
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. Persecution Scatters the Believers A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
2
(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)
3
But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
4
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
5
Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
6
Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.
7
Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.