Acts 8 - Wherever You Go, There You Are!

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The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
The rest of the 1st century after Jesus rose from the dead was a time of great persecution for the new Christian church at its believers.  They were persecuted first by fellow Jews, then eventually the Roman emperors.  In this case, as we saw yesterday, Saul later to be named Paul, was among the men arresting and taking these new Christians away to prison.  In persecuting these believers, Saul thought he was serving God.  Later on the road to Damascus he would learn he was persecuting Jesus. 
But we see the persecution, though it scattered the believers out of Jerusalem, actually served to help spread the gospel.  It was like a windstorm that blew the seeds of the gospel to fertile ground where it  could take root, grow and bear fruit.  As Romans 8:28 says, "God works all things together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  
As Christians we may also be persecuted if we are living a life of obedience following Jesus to where he calls us. At times we may question how we can be of use to God, but God is always using us no matter where we go.  The word for church, "ekklesia", actually means the "called out ones".  God is always sending people out from His bride, the church.  We were never meant to stagnate inside the walls of a church.  Many churches are dying because the only activity and ministry is going on inside the church and to its members.  
As someone has said, "Membership in the church has its privileges, we get to serve!" No matter what the circumstances are in your life, God can use it for His glory.  There is nothing in your life God can't redeem, if you are willing to surrender it to him.  Where is God calling you to spread the Word?  It may be nearer than you think!

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