1. A Great Persecution
www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

2. A Great Persecution
Persecution is part of being a Christian,
2 Tim. 3:12
 Antioch, Acts 13:50
 Iconium, Acts 14:4, 5
 Derbe, Acts 14:19

3. A Great Persecution
Let us be ready to face oppression
 From society
 From government
 From religious organizations

4. A Great Persecution
Before It
Reason
Who’s To Blame
Result

5. A Great Persecution
Before It
There were many conversions
 3,000, Acts 2:40-42
 5,000 plus, Acts 4:4
 Multitudes added, Acts 5:14

6. A Great Persecution
Before It
Internally the church was healthy
 Harmony, Acts 2:46; 4:32
 Problems corrected, Acts 5; 6:1-7

7. A Great Persecution
Before It
Externally faced mixed reactions
 Common people favored, Acts 2:47
 Rulers opposed, Acts 4; 5:40-42

8. A Great Persecution
Reason
Militant preaching, Acts 7
 Bible-based teaching, Acts 7:2-4
 Pointed, Acts 7:9-53
 Unapologetic, Acts 7:54-60

9. A Great Persecution
Who’s To Blame
Stephen?
 Smile more?
 Mean spirited, 2 Tim. 4:2?
 Remove references to the “fathers”
 Trouble maker, cf. Acts 17:6; 24:5?
 Out to make a name?
 Arrogant, Acts 7:60?

10. A Great Persecution
Who’s To Blame
The apostles?
 Encouraging Stephen?
 Not stopping him?
 Stirring up the leaders?

11. A Great Persecution
Who’s To Blame
God?
 Stephen filled with the Holy
Spirit, Acts 6:8-10

12. A Great Persecution
Who’s To Blame
Men that resisted the Holy
Spirit, Acts 7:51
 Sinners
 Hard-hearted
 Servants of Satan, Jn. 8:44

13. A Great Persecution
Result
The word was preached far & wide, Acts 8:4
 Samaria, Acts 8:5-25
 Ethiopia, Acts 8:26-39
 Caesarea, Acts 8:40
 Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, Acts 11:19-21

14. A Great Persecution
Result
The church remained intact
 Apostles, Acts 8:1
 Others, Acts 11:22
 Elders, Acts 15:2, 6, 22

15. A Great Persecution
Let us unashamedly & boldly
teach the truth

16. A Great Persecution
Let us see the troubles come from
Those who reject & resist the truth

17. A Great Persecution
This church will suffer persecution
when it stands for truth

18. A Great Persecution
Persecution purifies & strengthens

19. A Great Persecution
Be faithful unto death, Rev. 2:10
 When made fun of
 When excluded
 When punished
 When cursed & despised
 When physically assaulted