0126. The Great Persecution

The Great Persecution

"And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the Apostles" (Act_8:1).

1. The 8th chapter of the Acts gives the story of a great persecution against the Church at Jerusalem, and "they were all scattered abroad * * except the Apostles".

Christ’s command was plain, "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high". The disciples, however, stayed right on. They seemed very happy over the blessings that were theirs in Jerusalem, and they felt that much work remained there to be done.

Is it not easy to see in the persecution that arose, God’s purpose to scatter the saints, in order that the message of salvation might be spread abroad?

In Act_11:19-21 is a remarkable passage quite similar to our key verse: "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord".

Thus it was that God used "persecution" to drive forth His saints, that they might proclaim His Word. Had the disciples obeyed the will of God and faithfully have gone forth, the persecution might not have come.

How sad it is that many, today, have disobeyed the voice of God and failed to go and preach the Gospel. God has granted a "leave to stay at home," to no one. All are commissioned to go and preach His Word to the lost.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR