How did persecution in Acts 11:19 lead to the spread of the Gospel? Setting the Scene “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews.” (Acts 11:19) Persecution Becomes God’s “Scatter Plan” - Acts 8:1 links Stephen’s martyrdom with “a great persecution” that forced believers out of Jerusalem. - What looked like chaos actually moved the church outward, just as Jesus had outlined in Acts 1:8. - Hardship uprooted comfortable believers and planted them like gospel seeds in new soil. Geography of the Scattering • Phoenicia – coastal trade route; news spread quickly along shipping lanes. • Cyprus – island crossroads; synagogues already dotted the landscape, giving instant speaking platforms. • Antioch – third-largest city in the Roman world; multicultural hub where the term “Christian” would soon be coined (Acts 11:26). Chain Reaction from Jerusalem to the Nations 1. Stephen’s bold witness (Acts 7) → martyrdom ignites hostility. 2. Believers flee (Acts 8:4) → “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” 3. Initial focus on Jews (Acts 11:19) keeps continuity with Old-Covenant promises. 4. Some step across ethnic lines (Acts 11:20-21) → Greeks in Antioch hear and believe. 5. The Jerusalem church sends Barnabas (Acts 11:22-24) → organized discipleship, more growth. 6. Barnabas recruits Saul (Acts 11:25-26) → missionary movement is born. Biblical Principle: God Uses Opposition to Advance His Purpose • Joseph’s insight: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). • Jesus’ forecast: “When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next” (Matthew 10:23). • Paul’s testimony: “The word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). • Summary: hostility cannot chain the gospel; it only extends its reach. Key Takeaways for Believers Today - The gospel spreads fastest when comfort zones are disrupted. - Forced relocation can become Spirit-directed mission relocation. - Faithful witness in hardship showcases the unstoppable power of the risen Christ (Romans 8:28). Persecution in Acts 11:19 scattered the church, but God turned scattering into sowing, and the harvest reached the Gentile world. |
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