Daily Good News – Spreading the Word

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Jun 16, 2015 1476

“Those who had been scattered [by the persecution that Stephen had generated] preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4).

Many of the faithful followers of Jesus, who lived in Jerusalem, would have been upset with Stephen. It was because of him that they had lost their homes and jobs. But in eternity they will thank Stephen for creating a situation that opened the way for them to invest in heavenly treasure. There will be many souls in the kingdom because Stephen opened the gate for the gospel to be preached more widely.

The saying that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” has been true right from the earliest days of Christianity. As the Christians fled, and settled in other communities that were perhaps more tolerant of other faiths, they were able to share their joy in the gospel. Persecution did not make them stop working for God, it simply shifted their work to a new place.

The original Greek word used here is not the usual word for ‘preach’; it really describes announcing the good news of salvation. These were ordinary people on fire for the gospel. And wherever they found themselves, they shared their good news with anyone who would listen. Just so, whatever happens to God’s people can be used to proclaim the gospel to other people. There are opportunities everywhere to spread the Word—fast.