And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we were about to suffer affliction, just as it happened, and you know.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

explaining and setting forth that the Christ needed to suffer and rise again from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the baser sort from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and came upon the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

whom Jason has received, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus.

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to no one but the Jews only.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to oppress some from the church.

And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. (And it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.)

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who had the power to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

indeed while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions, and also while you became companions of those who were so treated;

for you had compassion on me in my bonds, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing, yourselves, that you have a better and an enduring possession in Heaven.