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...
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Acts 8:1b, 4 NLT
A great wave of persecution... If you read the historical accounts about the persecution of Christians that began following the stoning of Stephen, it is quite horrifying. Saul licensed with the authority to go house-to-house to throw men and women into prison for being believers. Christians used as sport in the Roman Coliseum against insurmountable odds. As human torches to light Nero's garden. Believers fleeing the city for their very lives.
Two things stand out to me in the ensuing verses.
One: People were sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was the Christ - that He was exactly who He said He was - and IS. You don't continue to stand against all odds - and death - unless you know that you know...
Two: Believers who may never have left the city otherwise, scattered in all directions and the Word tells us they preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. If you're fleeing from persecution, you don't normally stop to teach people about the very Gospel that is the reason you're running away from town.
They may have been scattered, but they were also scattering seed everywhere they went!
Prayer:
Father,
May we always walk in the courage of our conviction about Christ, no matter where we may end up. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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