Acts 8 – The Listening Plan

Devotional

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

— Acts 8:4

Is there a “bright side” to persecution? That is a tough question to wrestle with. Clearly, no one (at least to my knowledge) desires suffering and persecution. But welcome it or not, persecution is practically guaranteed in the New Testament, to the point that Peter bids Christians to “think it not strange the fiery trial.” So, again, is there a “bright side” to persecution?

In one sense, at least in Acts 8, there was. As a result of persecution, the Christians (finally) left Jerusalem to begin the work (in earnest) of the Great Commission, taking the gospel to Judea, Samaria and ultimately the ends of the earth.

Certainly, I don’t want to suffer persecution, but if it be God’s will, may it be used for His glory.