Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1 says, 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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  We also find Saul, who would later become Paul, consenting to Stephen’s death.  Our past does not limit our future as Christians.  Verse two adds, And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  Some devout men took Stephen’s body for burial.  They could have been putting themselves in danger by doing so, especially since Christians were being killed at that time.  Verse three continues, As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.  We see a good example of the fact that those burying Stephen possibly putting themselves in danger due to Saul’s actions.  Still, we should never be intimidated as we witness for Jesus Christ.  Verse four continues Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.  Because of the persecution, the gospel began to be spread everywhere as believers fled persecution.  Even if we were to become scattered, we still need to simply continue to spread the gospel.