scattered, but still witnessing

Good morning all,
This morning we see the aftermath of Stephen's death: a severe persecution of the church. Saul approved of the killing of Stephen and now goes around dragging people out of their houses and putting them in prison. The church is scattered all over the area including not only Judea but Samaria as well. Samaria was thought of by most Jews as an unclean area. The Samarians had been brought in by the Babylonians during the exile to repopulate Israel and now they worshiped Israel's God, but most Jews still resented them as interlopers with bad theology. That's why Jesus's story of the good Samaritan is controversial.

Here too, the church makes an opportunity out of persecution. They scatter by necessity but turn that situation into mission. Philip is another of the deacons elected earlier who starts proclaiming the good news about Jesus and making new disciples. This expansion of the good news isn't just random either. Jesus gives the pattern for the church's mission in the beginning of Acts saying: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We see this pattern unfolding as the church is scattered from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria. The rest of the book will show the church taking the message to the ends of the earth, a movement that continues with us today.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 8:1-13

And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
4Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8So there was great joy in that city.

9Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.