1. T HE C HURCH P ERSECUTED, S CATTERED, AND G ROWING Acts 8

2. Q UESTIONS Is persecution something the church should expect to happen? Can persecution of the church be used by God? Why? Why not? If not used by God, what is the reason or purpose of persecution? If used by God, how does He use it?

3. P REVIEW OF A CTS 6, 7, 8 Chapter 6 – Choosing of the Seven Why did the church leaders appoint the seven men? What was their title? Chapter 7 – The Death of Stephen Why did Stephen make the Sanhedrin so mad? Be specific. Listen to Stephen’s last words. Can you compare them to another person who was killed for their teaching?

4. P ERSECUTION AND THE S PREAD OF THE G OSPEL How did the Gospel spread? People were scattered to escape the persecution. Some stayed in Jerusalem – Apostles.

5. T HE I MPORTANCE OF B APTISM Baptism is tied closely with a person’s belief in Christ. This close tie many times appears to teach that baptism is necessary for salvation (read 8:34-39) Baptism (in water) is an act of obedience to portray what happens in our lives from the baptism of the Holy Spirit (salvation).

6. P HILIP AND THE E THIOPIAN He witnessed, healed, and performed signs He was led by the Holy Spirit (v. 26) Spoke to Philip to go south down the road (v. 29) Told Philip to go to the specific chariot (v. 39) Suddenly took Philip away to Azotus Map of Israel - Azotus (southern coastline) He helped the Ethiopian to understand Scripture

7. O BJECTIVES Explain how persecution helped to spread the Gospel Explain the importance of baptism