So I sent messengers to them with this answer: “I am doing important work, so I can’t come down. I don’t want the work to stop just so I can come down and meet with you.”
Acts 8:1 - Easy To Read Version Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was a good thing. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 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 Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition AND SAUL was [not only] consenting to [Stephen's] death [he was pleased and entirely approving]. On that day a great and severe persecution broke out against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles (special messengers). American Standard Version (1901) And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. Common English Bible Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to vicious harassment. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Catholic Public Domain Version Now in those days, there occurred a great persecution against the Church at Jerusalem. And they were all dispersed throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version AND at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles. |
So I sent messengers to them with this answer: “I am doing important work, so I can’t come down. I don’t want the work to stop just so I can come down and meet with you.”
Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, Daniel got down on his knees and prayed and praised God. When Daniel heard about the new law he went to his house. Daniel went up to his room on the roof of his house. Daniel went to the windows that opened toward Jerusalem. Then Daniel got down on his knees and prayed, like he always did.
King Darius was very happy. He told his servants to lift Daniel out of the lions’ den (cage). And when Daniel was lifted out of the den they did not find any injury on his body. Daniel was not hurt by the lions because he trusted in his God.
Some of the other people grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them.
So I tell you this: I send to you prophets {\cf2\super [355]} and wise men and teachers. You will kill some of these people. You will hang some of them on crosses. You will beat some of these people in your synagogues. {\cf2\super [356]} You will chase them from town to town.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, then it cannot be made salty again. Salt is good for nothing, if it loses its salty taste. It must be thrown out and people walk on it.
Remember the lesson I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If people did wrong to me, then they will do wrong to you too. And if people obeyed my teaching, then they will obey yours too.
People will make you leave their synagogues. {\cf2\super [222]} Yes, a time is coming when people will think that killing you would be doing service for God.
But the Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [5]} will come to you. Then you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—\{you will tell people about me\}. First, you will tell people in Jerusalem. Then you will tell people in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”
In the church (group of believers) at Antioch there were some prophets {\cf2\super [243]} and teachers. They were: Barnabas, Simeon (also called Niger), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with Herod, {\cf2\super [244]} the ruler) and Saul.
David did God’s will during the time he lived. Then he died and was buried like all his ancestors. And his body did rot in the grave!
The believers praised God, and all the people liked them. More and more people were being saved every day; the Lord was adding those people to the group \{of believers\}.
The people also know that I was there when Stephen, your witness, was killed. I stood there and agreed that they should kill Stephen. I even held the coats of the men who were killing him!’
And in Jerusalem I did many things against the believers. {\cf2\super [490]} The leading priests gave me the power to put many of these people (believers) in jail. When the followers of Jesus were being killed, I agreed that it was a good thing.
“Go and stand in the temple {\cf2\super [92]} yard. Tell the people everything about this new life \{in Jesus\}.”
The Jewish leaders heard these words. They became very angry. They began to plan a way to kill the apostles. {\cf2\super [101]}
They called the apostles {\cf2\super [104]} in again. They beat the apostles and told them not to talk to people about Jesus again. Then they let the apostles go free.
This is the same Moses who was with the gathering of God’s people in the desert. He was with the angel that spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and he was with our ancestors. Moses received commands from God that give life. Moses gave us those commands.
The Jewish leaders heard Stephen say these things. They became very angry. The Jewish leaders were so mad that they were grinding their teeth at Stephen.
The apostles {\cf2\super [162]} were still in Jerusalem. They heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God. So the apostles sent Peter and John to the people in Samaria.
The believers were scattered everywhere. Every place the believers went they told people the Good News. {\cf2\super [155]}
Philip {\cf2\super [156]} went to the city of Samaria. He told people about the Christ. {\cf2\super [157]}
The church (believers) everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. With the help of the Holy Spirit, {\cf2\super [196]} the group became stronger. The believers showed that they respected the Lord by the way they lived. Because of this, the group of believers grew larger and larger.
Those people know God’s law. They know God’s law says that people who live like that should die. But they continue to do those wrong things. And they say that people who do those things are doing right.
Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that those bad things that happened to me have helped to spread the Good News. {\cf2\super [6]}
Moses left Egypt. He left because he had faith. Moses was not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) anger. Moses continued strong like he could see the God that no person can see.