Sermons on Acts 7:54-8:8:

Revival Follows Persecution

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 23, 2014

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the direst circumstances, it has not only survived but thrived and revived the church.

Opening illustration: Did you know that if one of the arms of a starfish is severed, a new one will grow in its place? In fact, if a starfish is cut up, any piece that contains a part of the central disc will develop into a new starfish. Some oyster fishermen found that out, much to their dismay, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News – Bad News For The Church Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Sep 8, 2014

Stephen's death and the following persecution was a bad news/Good News Scenario. On the one hand it was a very negative thing for the church. Yet God used this evil to motivate the church with the Great Commission they had previously ignored.

GOOD NEWS – BAD NEWS FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST Acts 8:1-4 Dorn Ridge Church Of Christ, September 07, 2014 INTRODUCTION: 1.) The story has been told of a man waking up in the hospital after a car accident. A.) As the man gains consciousness, his doctor says to him, I have good ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Caution: Restoring New Testament Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2014

This lesson examines what the Bible means when it talks about evangelism and then compares this to what we see being called "evangelism" today. Have we redefined evangelism to ease our consciences?

Introduction Our first lesson was a reminder of our mission. We have been given the green light to evangelize by the Lord, and this mission was given to each and every Christian, not just a select few. Each one of us are called by God to “love our neighbor as ourselves” and to have an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Philip And The Ethiopian Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Jan 12, 2018

People approach the message of the Gospel from many different backgrounds and points of view. God’s Word helps us clear the clutter and shines the light on the person, deity and work of Jesus Christ. Today’s study will help us better understand this.

Acts 8:26-40 - AMP SUMMARY This message addresses the conversation that took place between Evangelist Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch which resulted in the Eunuch’s conversion and subsequent water baptism. People generally approach the message of the Gospel from many different backgrounds and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 3:14-15, Isaiah 53:7-8, Romans 10:11-15, Acts 8:29-30, Acts 8:5-13, Acts 2:1-41, Acts 8:26-40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Grace Is Greater Than Your Bitterness

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jan 23, 2018

Prayer is what makes forgiveness possible.

Title: Grace Is Greater than Your Bitterness Place: BLCC Date: 1/28/18 Text: Hebrews 12.15; Acts 7.57-60 CT: Prayer is what makes forgiveness possible. [Screen 1] FAS: Craig Groeschel said, my biggest struggle with bitterness started when my family discovered the awful truth about someone we had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:57-60

Denomination: Christian Church

The Puzzle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018

The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?

OPEN: People have created puzzles for centuries. There’ve been crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cube, and scads of others in all shapes and sizes. The better the puzzle, the more difficult it is to solve, and by that standard, one of the Holy Grails of such puzzles is this one: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stephen The First Martyr

Contributed by Greg Thompson on Jul 14, 2016

the story of what it means to be strong

The First martyr Acts 7:54-60 What a privilege it is to dedicate a child to the Lord. We need more adults dedicated to the Lord. I want us to focus on the meaning of Riker Stephen this morning I have already told you Ricker means strong power and Stephen means to be crowned so we could say ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Get Too Comfortable

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 13, 2019

When the Church lost sight of the full extent of the Great Commission God allowed persecution to drive them out

Sermon Don’t get too comfortable Jose Rodriguez, a bank robber who lived in Mexico, but preferred to rob American banks. In the wild days of the west before Donald Trump built his wall, Jose would slip across the border into Texas, rob a few banks and flee back into Mexico. One day, a Texas ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Anglican

Ministry Of Philip Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jan 13, 2021

The Persecution of the early church scattered believers all over, everyone witnessed according to their understanding and gifts. Philip landed in Samaria and did wonders and reached many. Read and enjoy.

Acts 8:4-25 Samaria: Philip, Peter, and John 08:04-08 Ministry of Philip in Samaria 08:09-13,17-24 Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer 08:14-25 Ministry of Peter and John in Samaria Happy New Year 2021!. This Part 3 of the ACTS covers the expansion of the Church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

Denomination: Methodist

When The Church Is Scattered

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2021

Studying the response of the first church when persecuted can encourage a proper response to disruption of services in the modern church in the West.

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” [1] Fairmeadows Church met at seven o’clock each Wednesday evening for a prayer meeting. One evening, rather than going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Advent 2019 - At Just The Right Time Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 3, 2019

Why was the time of the Roman Empire "just the right time" or "the fullness of time" for Jesus to come into the world for our salvation?

Advent 2019 – At Just The Right Time Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … Jude 1:24-25 “To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:31-45, Romans 5:6, Micah 5:2, John 1:46, Acts 1:15, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 8:1, Acts 8:4, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Do I Need Holy Spirit? – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 6, 2019

We continue our study today on Why Do I Need Holy Spirit in my life? Today we will talk about regeneration, conviction and revelation. Let's access our Bibles...

Introduction: • Talk about the infilling and the indwelling of Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:8; Acts 7:55; Luke 4:1… • Share your personal testimony of the infilling (Baptism) of Holy Spirit I. HE ASSISTS IN THE PROCESS OF REGENERATION John 3:5-8 5. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:8, Acts 7:55, Luke 4:1, John 3:5-8, John 16:7-16, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Ephesians 2:11-22, Ephesians 2:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon Vi: Boldness Epitomized By Stephen Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

In anti-Christian environments, mature Christians must be willing to remain steadfast in their beliefs about God and His Son Jesus Christ, and be bold in speaking the truth in love with compassion.

SPREADING THE WORD DESPITE THE ODDS - FIVE NEW TESTAMENT WITNESSES STEPHEN EPITOMIZED BOLDNESS . . . (Acts 6 and 7) After the little band of believers in Christ received power associated with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:51-60

Spread The Word Despite The Odds Sermon Vii: Faithfulness Epitomized By Philip Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 15, 2020

In anti-Christian environments, mature Christians are called upon to be faithful by continuing the work that Jesus began both to teach and to do - willing to cross all kinds of barriers to carry the gospel to any and every one.

PHILIP EPITOMIZED FAITHFULNESS . . . (Acts 8) Stephen was dead. He had been stoned to death due to his boldness in telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about the sin of rejection and the absolute necessity for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-38