Building with Blood Dale Gooding - Acts 8:1-3 Blood is the most amazing fluid on earth. It provides the essential elements for the body to live, in fact the Bible makes it clear that "life is in the blood" (Lev 17:11). Not only that but spiritual life is found in the blood of Jesus (John 6:53,54). These are not new truths to us but have we stopped to consider that - the life that comes through Jesus' blood has made it to us through the centuries by the blood of others? This truth is exemplified in our text: Acts 8:1-3 Stephen was the first of many who began to extend the Gospel message through their own blood. Notes: - To attack the Church is to attack Jesus (9:4) - Emotional Contrasts (in reference to Stephen)     = The “hearty agreement” of Saul (v1)     = “Lamentation” of devout men (v2) - Parallels (Both in reference to The Church)     = “Great persecution began against the Church” (vs. 1)     = “Saul began ravaging” the Church” (Vs. 3)     = The “scattering” of The Church (vv. 1 & 4) - Prophetic Fulfillment (Samaria x2)     = Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria (Acts 1:8)     = Note Stephen’s visit to Samaria (Acts 8:5) - Saul’s Violent Persecution (Acts 8:4)     = Entering Houses - apparently at will, uninvited     = Dragging people out - apparently against their will         - Leaving homes unoccupied         - Leaving children parentless (likely)     = Delivering to Prison = no account of their lot afterward Now, think of everything you know from Paul’s teaching about domestics, the Grace, Love, Relationships, Honor, Order, etc. Wow!  What a difference conversion makes!!!! Application: 1) This is an unexpected plan to get the Gospel to the world 2) Obedient Followers stay on mission (vs. 1b, 4)    “Plan the dive, dive the plan.” (SF Dive Teams) 3) Fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching on His/their rejection - Matt. 10:16 4) A surprising Convert - Saul becomes Paul (Acts 9:4, 15) Re-Entry: Tragic events are tragic because they are costly, they affect people's lives practically, they have peripheral effects, etc ...  Stephen’s death, though tragic, was also instrumental in advancing the Gospel. I) Pharisaical PERSECUTION - Acts 8:1,3 A) Paul's PRESSURE - Pharisees have proven to be blood-thirsty         1) Paul’s “approval” was “pleasurable” it was his pleasure to approve. There is a sense of gratification in condemnation of the righteous. B) Paul's PRACTICES          1) Ravaging          2) Dragging = Indiscriminate persecution (women too) (Imagine the effect on children)              • Paul was Brutal (in his own words)- Acts 22:4, 19; Acts 26:11              • Paul acted on his zeal as he thought it was good & right - 1 Tim. 1:13          3) Strategy = House to house (very zealous efforts)              • Likely Jerusalem citizens - Dispersed people & Hellenists may have gone home.              • May have been personal homes or house churches. C) Paul's IMPRISONING = Who knows how long they stayed or what punishment they received       1) Ostracization = Jobs lost, ostracized by society, disowned by family, etc...             Judaism was a pseudo-religious / political organization at this time.               Authority was given to  do ungodly things in ungodly ways.           2) Fuller Revelation = These imprisonments often resulted in death (Acts 22:4; 26:10) We see here a certain ferociousness in Paul. Believing he is doing good & right & feeling good about it. The Christian Church has, still does in many places, and will again face resistance from unbelievers. Thats almost hard to believe for us being as we see so little of it - but others in the world do. But, there is also coming a day when The Righteous Religious Leader will reign. He will rightly execute Judgment & Discipline world-wide. II) Scattering of SAINTS - Acts 8:1b A) A PROVIDENTIAL Action?          1) A fulfillment of Acts 1:8          2) Probably mostly Hellenistic & other Dispersed Jews who prolonged their stay          3) These likely laid the foundation for many NT Churches later visited by Paul B) Apostolic RESISTANCE? - Why did they stay (being Jewish?, disobedience?) C) FRUITFULNESS of - Churches started! (Acts 11:19-21) D) Distinction Made - Between Apostles (Acts 8:1c) and those scattered (common people) Historically God has used difficult, unusual and seemingly unhelpful situations to bring about His purposes in ways that are undeniable - Egyptian Exodus, Crucifixion, etc. God does this in both individual and universal cases - maybe your health & world events. III) Stephen's BURIAL - Acts 8:2 A) Why People MOURNED - Few (family & friends) mourn the legally "stoned"            1) Who Mourned? - The "devout" men = Apparently Jewish believers                -    We aren’t sure / Wasn’t Family & Wasn’t The Church.                 -    This suggests he wasn’t home & died “on the field”            2) Though we mourn the death we don’t mourn without hope - 1 Thes. 4:13 B) HYPOCRISY of Stephen's stoning            1) Stephen wasn't even a Jew - this was a condemnation of Christianity            2) This was simply murder! But: 1) Paul didn’t just witness a murder, he witnessed a Merciful plea (Paul witnessed God's grace in action unlike he’d ever seen). This demonstrates what our mercy toward others may very well effect. We may pay a price but if a soul is secured by it isn't our price worth it? 2) We must also recognize the power of the Gospel to transform people. (Paul was transformed - “from a terrorist to a Saint” = Thabiti Anyabwile) Conclusive Applications: 1) As Jesus promised, the Church will be hated & persecuted - every century has seen it. 2) Our testimony during persecution is effective         -    Souls see there is something to live for that is worth dying for.              Paul the "great" Apostle is a prime example of this.             People who seem to be antagonistic are often looking for something better!             Note Paul's testimony re. his persecution zeal,             =    I Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13, 22; Phil. 3:6; 1 Tim. 1:13             He is very affected by and repentant of his past. 3) Some people (like Stephen) will have to pay the highest price.       -    Read Church History (Foxe's Book of Martyrs)         -    Note Christians around the globe enduring the same. 4) "The Blood of the Saints is the seed of the Church."  (Tertullian)         •    This is a primary way that the Church grows.         •    We should not be amazed at this as these truths have been evidenced as foretold. 5) Be Encouraged - Paul Illustrates The Power of The Blood to save the worst of men!!!!!