Persecution is the seed of revival and has happened throughout history. The early church was just in its infancy when a great persecution broke out. Acts 8:1A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.[1]
Through this persecution, satan was trying to stop the Good News of Jesus, but instead, God did something he did not expect. Acts 8:4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.[2] Due to persecution, the Good News of Jesus began to spread like seeds thrown into the wind. The word translated “scattered” (Acts 8:1,4) means “to scatter seed.”[3] The scattered persecuted believers from Jerusalem spread God’s seed.
God Works in Mysterious Ways
As the believers spread out during the persecution, God directed them to different areas. They shared God’s word with others along the way. Soon, believers began clusters and then planted churches. The believers that preached the word were bold as the Holy Spirit worked in them, telling others about the Good News of Jesus.
Instead of preventing the Gospel from going out, the enemy fell into God’s trap. Persecution enabled the Gospel to spread. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.[4] Only the Lord can work for good what the enemy means for evil. Through the power of the Gospel, people’s lives changed as they received the message of Jesus, just like today.
You Can Spread the Gospel
As a believer, the Lord has placed you in a specific place to spread the Good News of Jesus, just like the persecuted believers. The Lord calls us to be salt and light wherever we go, bringing Jesus’s saving message. Many people today are searching for hope that only Jesus can give.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you in knowing who to witness and what to share. As we listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will connect us with the right person at the right time. Jesus knows one of the tests of faith is our willingness to share the good news of Jesus with others. There is no greater joy than being an instrument in the Lord’s hand, leading people to the cross.
To learn how persecution is the seed of revival, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-samaritan-pentecost
[1,2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 434). Victor Books.