Way back in the book of Exodus it should have been evident that persecution was not the way to deal with God’s people. Way back then we read that, “The more they afflicted them the more then multiplied and grew.”
However, after Stephen the authorities thought the best thing to do was to try and wipe out the Christians so they began a severe regimen of persecution. It got so bad that they began to scatter to other areas. This must have pleases the authorities at first because all they wanted was the Christians gone, by death or my moving elsewhere.
They did not, however, get rid of the problem. Sure they scattered, but as they scattered they preached. Pure and simple, no fanfare – as they went out from the persecution they kept preaching.
This really challenges my heart. I fear that if persecuted I would run and hide instead of run and preach.
My God give us the courage and faith of these early believers.
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