July 16, 2023
“Following the stoning of Stephen, four events followed:  (1) “great persecution” was unleashed by the Jews against Christians in Jerusalem; (2) Christians scattered: they left Jerusalem and went to surrounding regions to escape violent, life-threatening persecution from the Jews, which also served to fulfill Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8 to spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem; (3) devoted Christian men gave Stephen an honorable burial to mark his bold witness, despite the persecution and scattering that followed his stoning; (4) Saul set off on a deadly campaign to exterminate all Christians.”
Acts 8:1-3