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.

The Stoning

As I continued reading in Acts 7:54 – Acts 8:3, the description of violence captivated my imagination. I tried to place myself within hearing distance of what was going on before the Sanhedrin. Stephen had just made a great speech highlighting the history of Israel and their continual disobedience to the laws of God. He highlighted that the Sanhedrin was doing the very same things as their “fathers” (the founders and leaders of Israel) had done. They were persecuting God’s prophets, those who were exclaiming Jesus as Messiah. They were refusing to believe and were putting those who believed in prison or were, even worse, persecuting them to the point of death.

The crowd’s response? “. . . they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him . . . they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse. And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him and the witnesses laid aside their robes . . . they went on stoning         Stephen . . .” [Acts 7:54 – 58] Violence! Blood! Gore! And people stood around watching and cheering. There were “witnesses” whose presence was an attempt to legitimize the proceedings. No one stood up and tried to protect Stephen. No one stood up for the truth. They just aggressively attacked Stephen or passively witnessed what was going on.

This scene, as I imagined it in my head, convicted me. There are people who are preaching God’s Word and are standing up for Him, who are getting persecuted for it. And I passively watch as it happens. I read the article on my computer or view the story on the news. And, in passing, I might say a prayer silently in my head. But, I’m not really standing up for them. I’m not collecting money for them. I’m not actively doing anything. Now, I realize that I can’t physically support every cause for Christ. I don’t have the finances, the health, the influence to affect much at all. But, I am convicted about not speaking out for Christ in my realm of influence.

Just something to think about and maybe I will take action next time the opportunity appears. In the meantime, know that I’m a Christ-follower and a Bible-believer. I stand up to proclaim the saving good news of Christ to any who will hear.