The Message Wherever I Go

Persecution. Scattering. That’s what has now happened to the disciples in Jerusalem. Many theologians believe that the Hellenistic Jews were the ones being persecuted in Jerusalem, being imprisoned and beaten (and in some cases put to death as Stephen was). So they scattered to other parts of the region to avoid the persecution. Some may have been returning home since they were visiting Jerusalem for the feasts and just hadn’t left yet because they heard and believed the message of Christ.

Acts 8:4 says, “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” The next few verses give an account of one such person, Philip. “And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.” [Acts 8:5] They were forced out of Jerusalem but didn’t go quietly. They were preaching the word. Wherever they went, they were preaching the word. Philip went to Samaria (not necessarily his home) and preached Christ to them. Philip probably could relate to the Samaritans since both the Hellenistic Jews (especially those who believed in Christ) and the Samaritans were outsiders to the Jewish elite of Jerusalem. Also, the Samaritans had had experience with the Christ as Jesus also had witnessed there.

So Philip went to the Samaritans (half Jewish and half other). They were still considered Jewish, but were called half-breeds. They didn’t like the Jews of Jerusalem and the Jews of Jerusalem didn’t like them. That was also true of Philip and the others who had been scattered. So Philip built upon their commonalities and preached Christ. He also performed “signs” (miracles) among the Samaritans and the Samaritans could see the similarities between the message Philip was preaching and what they had witnessed Jesus doing.

That is all very interesting and challenges me to find common ground with those I desire to share Christ with. However, that’s not what struck me the most about this passage. I was convicted of my lack of sharing the gospel wherever I go. Now I’m not being persecuted or forced to go to another city, state, or country, but the example is still the same for me: preach Christ wherever I go. I can do that if I’m open to the Holy Spirit’s leading and take advantage of the opportunities the Holy Spirit supplies.

One such opportunity is present as I write this blog. I don’t know who I’m writing to or who reads it every week, but I should be making it clear that Christ’s salvation is available to everyone. All it takes is belief in Him and confessing Him as Lord. What benefit does doing that have? What I notice most on a day-to-day basis is the possibility for peace or serenity in my life. Not everything goes the way I want it to, but I have peace knowing that there’s a God who is all powerful who has provided a very positive end result . . . new life in Christ and eternity with Him in a world where there is no pain or suffering.

So today, I proclaim that to you. I’m also going to pray that I become more conscious of the opportunities the Holy Spirit provides for me to preach the word wherever I go.