Acts 8:1-8 (ESV)

And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.

At first glance, this sounds like Stephen’s speech was a major catastrophe. It triggered a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem.

But the Lord works in mysterious ways and this “catastrophe” had a higher purpose. They were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Recall what Jesus said in Chapter 1.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. … But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:4-5, 8

Next, the Holy Spirit arrives at Pentecost. Then this happens.

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. … The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. – Acts 5:12, 16

They aren’t obeying the great commission! So the Holy Spirit sets off a bomb that scatters the church all over the region. But notice that they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Yikes. The job’s not done.

The church seemed to be growing just fine – by leaps and bounds actually. Their leaders certainly could be excused for thinking they were doing a great job. Yet God had other plans – big plans.

Consider this the next time everything seems to be falling apart. Take heart; no matter how bad things get, they can’t be as bad as what the early church went through.

When times are tough, it’s right to ask God for encouragement. Catastrophes are not what they seem.

Trials have a purpose. The Lord uses encouragement to get people through them – so that they can grow.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies