Those who were scattered went about preaching the word
Mon, 8 January, 2007: Today’s Bible readings.
1 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
After Stephen’s death, a great persecution begins in Jerusalem. Christians end up fleeing the city and go throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. But wherever they go, they bring the gospel with them, and they share the good news about Jesus Christ as they are scattered.
What do we learn from this?
The persecution of the church is a terrible thing. Stephen’s death is so sad. Why would God allow such things to happen?
We don’t always get the answer, but here we are immediately told of the good that God brings about from the evil of the persecution of the church. As a direct result of the persecution, people begin to take the gospel to the world. They move out of Jerusalem and go throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the news about Jesus Christ.
Where is Christ in this passage?
This is exactly the progression of the gospel Jesus told them about at His ascension.
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Just as Jesus has told them, they began in Jerusalem, and are now moving to Judea and Samaria. It took persecution to do it, but it is all happening according to God’s plan just as Jesus Christ foretold.
