At first glance, a superficial reading of the book of Acts may lead one to believe that spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ should be easy. After all, throughout the book, we identify recurring statements that declare, “...the word of the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect” (Acts 19:20; 12:24; 6:7). 

However, as we have studied the Book of Acts in depth this fall, we recognize that while the Word of God spread rapidly and the number of people coming to faith in Christ Jesus was abundant, a cost was involved, right? Understand that we are living in a liminal space until Jesus returns and ushers in God's kingdom in full. Until that day comes, the spread of the Gospel message will no doubt be accompanied by persecution and opposition.  These themes play out in the early chapters of Acts as the early Christians face increasing opposition, and yet, despite persecution, the Gospel continues to spread.  

Let’s glance at where these themes are placed side by side: 

Acts 4:3 – An attempt is made to thwart the spread of the Gospel by having Peter and John bound up in prison.  However, the next verse (4:4) begins with “but“:  But many of the 5 people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.”  

Acts 5:18 – Now, all the apostles are thrown into jail to prevent the spread of the Gospel.  Again, the following verse (5:19) begins with “but”: “But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out.” 

Acts 8:1-4 – This is the greatest point of opposition in the book of Acts thus far. Until now, there have been threats of death, but here we see the first person put to death for their proclamation of Jesus (Stephen, the first Christian martyr). I want you to look at verse four.  What does it begin with? “But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” 

Friends, the book of Acts does not provide simplistic explanations for persecution and suffering. Nevertheless, the book assures us that our risen Lord Jesus is still, even now, with His people, empowering us to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.    

Have you ever considered, and by that, I mean thought-provoking, heart-wrestling consideration, how Christians suffer around the globe? Or what being a follower of Jesus Christ truly means for Christians facing persecution for their faith? Years ago, a gentleman in the congregation I was serving in Pennsylvania walked up to me after church and handed me a magazine.  He said, “Pastor, please look through this, and then, could we pray together afterwards?”  The magazine was published by The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). The VOM serves persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ.   

I remember sitting in my office at the church that week, reading testimony after testimony of Christian persecution stories. By the time I finished thumbing through the pages of the now tear-soaked magazine, the Lord had convicted my spirit. I sat there feeling selfish because I was extremely thankful that my church family and I had not experienced anything of that magnitude. Yet, I was deeply grieved for our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who live in this reality every day of their lives. They do not live a comfortable life—quite the opposite---but they persevere as the faithful have across the centuries in fulfilling God’s Great Commission, no matter the cost. Generation after generation, the faith of persecuted Christians has been tested, tried, and proven true.  

Friends, these men and women are our family.  We are yoked together in Christ Jesus and our family is suffering.  If you’re like I was all those years ago, you might ask, “But what can I do? I am thousands of miles away.” I’m glad you asked!   

Sunday, November 3, is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. A global prayer movement will begin on Sunday and continue throughout November. Will you commit to praying for these courageous believers who boldly live out their Christian faith at great cost? To be sure, prayer shakes the foundations of the earth and travels thousands of miles to places we simply cannot go.  If you are willing, pray in this way: 

Pray 

• they will stand firm in the faith 

• they will know the peace of Christ that surpasses all human understanding 

• they will be obedient and bold wherever God calls them to go 

• God will wrap them in a hedge of protection and surround them with a legion of angels 

• they will come to forgive those who persecute them 
• God will send workers who will labor in the vineyards with them. 

As we have seen throughout our study of Acts, nothing can thwart the continued spread of the Gospel.  Nothing can thwart the planting of churches with people who know the forgiveness of sins through faith in the risen Lord Jesus! 

Singing His praises ~ 

Pastor Jen