Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions made beneficial » In furthering the gospel
But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.
Now the people who were scattered by the persecution that started because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began proclaiming the Lord Jesus even to the Hellenistic Jews. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance.
Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained.
At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion's mouth.