Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. 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.
Acts 11:19 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.
From these verses, we see how God used persecution to scatter the early Christians, thereby spreading the Gospel.
This scattering was not just an accident but a divine strategy to fulfill the Great Commission.
Let’s look at some of the things that lead up to the first mission work:
1. Religious Persecution
Acts 4:1-2 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, [2] Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The religious leaders in Jerusalem were threatened by the growing number of believers. Their persecution, intended to stifle the church, actually ignited the mission work. The early Christians were forced to flee, taking the Gospel with them wherever they went.
2. Restraints by Authorities
Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
The apostles faced restraints from the authorities. These actions, intended to restrict the spread of the Gospel, only served to spread it further. As the apostles were imprisoned and then miraculously released, their message of Jesus’ power and salvation reached even more people.
3. Resistance and Martyrdom
Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Stephen’s martyrdom was the ultimate act of resistance against the early church. His death, however, had the opposite effect intended by his persecutors. It scattered the believers even further, spreading the Gospel to new regions. This resistance led directly to the events of Acts 8:1, where the church was scattered and the mission work intensified.
In Acts 9:31, we read: “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
This verse highlights a significant turning point in the early church’s history. After a period of intense persecution and scattering, the churches in these regions experienced a time of peace and growth. The believers were edified, meaning they were built up and strengthened in their faith. They continued to walk in the fear of the Lord, maintaining a deep respect and reverence for God.
The persecution and challenges the early church faced did not hinder the spread of the Gospel; instead, it served to advance it. The scattering of believers due to persecution led to the establishment of new churches in various regions. When the time of rest came, these churches were already established and ready to grow. The early church’s resilience and dedication, even in the face of adversity, serve as a powerful reminder that God can use difficult circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
In our own lives, we can take inspiration from this. Even when we face challenges, we should remain committed to our mission and trust that God can use any situation for His glory. Just as the early church was multiplied, we too can see growth and expansion in our efforts when we walk in the fear of the Lord.
Just as God used these challenges to propel the early Christians into mission work, we should be moved to action today. We must have a heart for missions, understanding that God’s desire is for His message to reach every corner of the earth. Let’s not wait for external pressures to move us. Instead, let’s proactively spread the Gospel, knowing that God’s heart for missions should be our driving force.
