1
That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles.
2
Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral - not many dry eyes that day!
3
And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail.
4
Forced to leave home base, the Christians all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.