1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution. On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him.
3 Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.
4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Thus Philip went down to [the] city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
6 With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.