Persecution Scatters Believers

Acts 8:1–13
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The death of Stephen brought on a wave of persecution against the Jerusalem church (vv. 1-2). One of the chief perse­cutors was Saul, from Tarsus (Acts 22:3), a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (II Corinthians 11:22), the “son of a Pharisee” (Acts 23:6) and a Roman citizen (Acts16:37). In fact, he was one of the most promising young Pharisees in Jerusalem, who was on his way to becoming a great leader of the Jewish faith. Saul "made havoc of the Church” (v. 3), going from house-to-house persecuting and arresting Christians, until the prisons overflowed. Warren Wiersbe says, “Persecution does to the church what wind does to seed: it scatters it and only produces a greater harvest.” This persecution in Jerusalem caused the believers (God’s seed) in Jerusalem to scatter throughout Judea, Samaria, and other parts of the world (v. 4). This was the beginning of a worldwide witness. 

Next, we are introduced to Philip, another young man who was one of the seven deacons chosen by the Jerusalem church (v. 5). Philip would go on to become one of the architects of the Christian Church. God directed him to become an evangelist in Samaria, a small province north of Judea. He declared God’s Word and demonstrated God’s power by performing miracles (vv. 6-8).  

Wherever God sows His true believers, Satan sows his counterfeits. Satan’s tool in this passage was a sorcerer named Simon. He practiced witchcraft, and because of his ability to exercise control over nature and people through his demonic power, many people thought he was great (vv. 9-11). When Philip came along preaching Christ and displaying God’s power, Simon started to lose his following. Many of the Samaritans listened to Philip’s messages, believed on Jesus Christ, and were baptized (v. 12). Simon, seeing the great miracles, professed to believe, and was baptized (v. 13). However, it appears that his faith was not in the Word of God, but in the miracles. 

Application

Sometimes God must force me out of my comfort zone to share my faith with others. I know that persecution may be a part of my being a good witness for Christ.