Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
And Saul was there, giving approval of his (Stephen’s) death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
– Acts 8:1-6
Devotion
The death of Stephen instigated a major persecution against the Christian community in Jerusalem. Saul of Tarsus was the major mover in the wider persecution effort. The persecution served a positive purpose, however, in that it propelled the proclamation of the Gospel outward to Judea and Samaria, thus fulfilling the 2nd stage of the mission outlined by Jesus in Acts 1:8. Philip, another one of the “deacons” chosen earlier, was greatly used by God to bring the Gospel to Samaria.
The Big Question
What Impact was Saul having on the early church? What was the Spirit accomplishing in terms of the geographical spread of the Gospel? Have you ever experienced persecution as a result of your faith in Jesus? If so, how did you handle it?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.