Let’s read Acts 8:1-4:
"Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went."
Over Lent I completed the Bible Course which has been written by Andrew Ollerton and produced by the Bible Society. I highly recommend you look to run it in your church to help everyone have a better understanding of the Bible.
This passage is included in the course for discussion. It comes just after Stephen had been publicly stoned to death. The first Christian martyr. He had been an amazing witness. Acts 6:5 describes him as a man, “full of faith and the Holy Spirit”, and verse 8 says, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.”
Understandably, his killing had shaken the Christian community. They had lived with the threats but to witness a death made it even more real. This passage tells us that all the Christians except the apostles stayed in Jerusalem and everyone else left to find a new home. This is huge, isn’t it? Imagine having to sell up and move to another country. Notice though, one of the countries they scattered to, Sameria, a country known for the outcasts, a country known to be somewhere the Jewish community didn’t associate with, remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Yet off they go to find refuge.
The most powerful and challenging verse for me, is the last one - despite the fear, despite the grief, despite the move, despite the upheaval, the stress, the life change, what do they do ... preach the good news of Jesus, told people about Jesus, told everyone how he had changed their lives, how he loves them, how he died for them. They couldn’t keep quiet despite the threat from the authorities, they had to share. Then, guess what, from their sharing, the church grew.
We need to be bold and share about Jesus wherever we go so our churches will grow - our lives are not in danger and we have so many resources to help us. Pray for opportunities and that the Holy Spirit will lead you to the people that need to hear.
Last week I went to see the Watoto African choir performing at South Chingford Church. The choir are made up of orphaned children who sing praises to God and share their testimonies about how He has been so good that he has rescued them and loves them. It was such an incredible evening and 5 people gave their lives to Jesus.
They are visiting churches across England and Scotland so do go visit them or look to have them visit your church this tour or next tour!
Let’s pray
Father God, thank you for the freedoms we have to worship you, to read your word and preach the Good News. We pray, through the power of your Holy Spirit, you will lead us to people you want us to talk to and share about you with. You know we are shy sometimes so give us boldness and be gracious to us. We pray revival, so wake us up to be part of it. We pray in Jesus name, Amen
Yvonne Campbell
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