Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions made beneficial » In furthering the gospel
But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.
They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained.
At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.