Persecution Scatters Believers
October 3, 2022
Commentary
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.
Acts 8:1– 13 (NET)
1 And Saul agreed completely with killing him.
2 Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was trying to destroy the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
4 Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. 10 All the people, from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’” 11 And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed.