Act 1:8 quotes Jesus as saying, “… you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” A few chapters later, in Acts 8:1, the church
historian records, “On that day a great
persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the
apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” After Saul gave consent to Stephen’s death as
the first Christian martyr, the church scattered because of persecution. God’s people scattered, but they were not
silent. Every where they went they told
the stories of Jesus.
Persecution widened the scope of witnessing. The Church experienced geographic expansion. The people of God also benefited spiritually. Explore the advantages of persecution at www.missionevangelism.org. Click on training modules and then “Preparing
for Persecution.”
Contributed by Dr. Lyle Pointer
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