Read Acts 1:8 & 8:4-8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Were I one of those dispersed Christians I’m not sure which would have dented me the most: the discouragement of seeing everything I thought God was building scattered; the doubt as to whether or not my commitment to this group was really such a good call; or the fear that perhaps I would be the next to end up in prison or something worse. Regardless, I’m pretty sure that my gut reaction would not be that of these incredible early Christians who: “preached the word wherever they went.” In other words, in contrast to the discouragement, doubt and fear these early Christians could have harbored, they demonstrate – by the power of God’s Spirit – joy, faith and boldness. Further, in contrast to my particular penchant for good planning, they seem remarkably happy just to go with God’s agenda. Thus God, in his sovereign redeeming way, yet again takes what the enemy intended for harm and turns it around for good. A strong wind may blow out a candle but a fire will spread!
- Are there any current situations in your life that have been discouraging? What is the best way to respond to this discouragement? How can we best support one another within this?
- Why do you think that the early Christians were so faith-filled and joyful in the face of hardship?
If you have a bit longer :-)
- Where else in the Bible do we come across Samaritans?[1] Do these other references shed any additional light on the significance of what was going on here?
- When, in your life, have you heard of or experienced incidences in which God has brought good out of difficult and damaging situations? Does this impact your view of any present difficulties you’re facing in any way?
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