The Acts Alliance
For six weeks in the season of Pentecost, 10 Lutheran churches from across St. Louis unite for a common sermon series in the book of Acts. We are an alliance of over 8,000 Christians, united in Jesus and animated by the Holy Spirit. In this season, we’ll share glimpses into our diverse congregations. We’ll pray for each other. And we will encourage each other in our common mission to be witnesses of Christ across our metro area “and to the ends of the earth.”
Week Five (June 20)
Alliance Means: Persecution
Acts 8:1-8
Persecution is often lamented as a curse, or a sign of failure. Or it is used as a complaint against culture. But in Samaria, persecution leads to the spread of the gospel, just as the suffering of the cross leads to salvation.
Questions for Reflection:
In what ways does the American Church today experience persecution? How is it similar and different from what the early Church experienced or what is experienced in different parts of the world today?
How does the cross help us to better understand persecution?
What are some responses to persecution that you have seen? How does God call his people to respond?