Acts 8:1-24 - "The Safety of Samaria"

DRAW ME CLOSE is the Bible Teaching Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, taught by Pastor Bob Lawrenz. We pray that the audio bible teachings will bless and encourage you in your Christian walk. It is our desire that you draw ever so close to our Savior, our Redeemer and Lord. Last week we learned how Stephen was tragically killed for his faith in Jesus Christ; his life was cut short and his promising ministry abruptly ended. Not only that, but his death triggered a massive persecution against the whole church.Our study is in Acts 8:1-24. Stephen’s death actually ended up triggering much more than just a wider spread persecution. It ended up triggering the church’s first great missionary outreach. Up until now, the church was growing, but it had been centered in Jerusalem. Jesus had told His disciples to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." And again, in Acts 1:8, Jesus had said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jerusalem was just the starting point, and now we are seeing His disciples being faithful to take the gospel further.Special thanks to Emmanuel Garilus for permission to use his instrumental track, the beautiful rendition of Draw Me Nearer.