Acts 8:1-3- God's enablement in difficult times

The disciples were told by the Lord to go into all the world to preach the Gospel. They were empowered to be His witnesses even to the furthest part of the earth. But It looks like they would not have gone beyond Jerusalem if not for the death of Stephen, and the intense persecution that came upon the church.

Having sublimly introduced Saul in the pervious chapter, Acts 8:1-3 tell us a little more about his role. While he did not cast a stone on Stephen, he was in total agreement to the lynching. And he also directed the intense persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem.

Verse 1 tells us that the followers of Christ, then scattered everywhere into the region of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. It appears as if only 12 were left behind in Jerusalem. But this is not really the case, as we see hints in Acts 8:25; 9:26-31; and 11:2-18 that the church in Jerusalem remained very vibrant.

Verse 2 describes a proper funeral being held to honor Stephen. Devout men took his body and gave him a decent burial and lamented loudly over him. This indicates that they were fearless witnesses because according to traditional oral laws, no one was allowed to mourn for an executed person publicly. So this was a brave act on the part of the devout followers of Christ.

In verse 3, Luke tells that Saul played a major role in the persecution of the church. From watching over the robes of the executioners who stoned Stephen, he now went about destroying and busting the church.

He went from house to house with intensity to search for Christians. And would drag both men and women who believed in Christ, arrest them and had them imprisoned. It was obvious that Saul was fully bent on  resisting this new movement of God. His  intention was to stamp out the advancement of the Gospel's message completely.

The experience of Stephen and the persecution of the church, remind us that evangelism and suffering could happen hand in hand. Believers are empowered by the Spirit to be effective witnesses even in the face of fierce and personal opposition and suffering.

God allowed the believers to go through trying times. He often does it to teach us reliance on the Holy Spirit, and to fill us anew. Many can testify that their best witnessing moments were during their most trying times.

So let's not flinch when we are facing our tough moments. In opposition we will definitely feel His presence and power enabling us. He will fill us afresh and enable us to live for Him through every tough moment in life.