When Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that He would build His church…He knew He was building in the midst of enemy territory. He was well aware of both the dangers and His opposition. But—that didn’t stop the work from going forward. The church has always lived under the threat of persecution. Thousands upon thousands have given their life for the sake of the church.

One of the reasons hundreds of Christians left Europe and travelled to a new land called America was to escape persecution. Most of those Christians believed that God was leading them to a new and prosperous land where the gospel could be proclaimed without fear of persecution and people would be free to live out their faith.

As a rule—people can live out their faith without much fear of reprisal here in the US. Yet we’re reminded almost daily of special interest groups who use the courts to try and drive the practice of Christianity from every area of public life. All of these attempts—however successful they may appear on the surface…will never stop the work of Jesus’ church because He has already declared ‘the gates of hell will never prevail against it.’

Here in Acts 8 we see the first century church in the midst of persecution. One of its servants—Stephen, has been killed for proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. As a result of this—the opposition takes advantage of this situation and begins persecuting everyone who’s a believer. Our adversary has been persecuting the church ever since and will continue until Jesus puts a stop to it. Notice if you will—how God turns persecution into prosperity.

1. Two forms of persecution:

A. Physical

The physical persecution that started following the death of Stephen. Luke tells us it was a time of great persecution (v1). We’re introduced to a man by the name of Saul…a man who was relentless in his persecution of the church. The Bible says “Saul began to destroy the church” (V3). [Acts 22:4, 26:10ff]

Throughout history physical persecution has been a tool in the hand of our adversary to try and destroy the work of God. History records that believers have been threatened, tortured, all of their personal belongings taken and even killed for their faith. This still happens in many parts of the world today.

B. Psychological

Another form of persecution we see here in our text is psychological. It’s a mental attack. Satan likes to create a desire in a person’s mind for power and greatness. Luke introduces us to a man named Simon. Simon believed that he was ‘someone great’ (v9). Perhaps you know or work with someone who has an inordinate desire to be recognized as great. It has consumed their mind.  

Luke tells us that Simon had a reputation as a great magician—but when he saw the power of God at work through Philip…he’s astonished (v13). It’s at this point I believe his mind becomes so consumed with the desire to have that same ability he’s willing to pay for it (v18).

You and I know that the power of God is not for sale…Amen. The power Simon witnessed was the work of the God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift that’s given to everyone who believes in Jesus (Eph 1:13). “Having believed—you were marked in Him with a seal, the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible does tell us that Simon believed and was baptized in verse 13…but Peter seems to think the actions and attitude of his heart tells another story. In verse 21 Peter says to Simon, “You have no part or share in this ministry.” Look at verse 22…repent, “Peter says.”

Bible scholars still debate as to whether or not Simon’s profession of faith was genuine. Only God knows for sure. What we can know is this—our adversary roams around like a roaring lion seeking someone to destroy (1 Pet 5:8). He will use any means possible—for some it will be through physical persecution and for others it will be through an in ordinate desire to be recognized as someone great. A perceived greatness beyond that of even God Himself.

The purpose behind all of this is simple…misery loves company. The Bible tells us that the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). The devil has no part or share in God’s kingdom and he persecutes those who are.

2. Two ways persecution is prosperous.

Perhaps it’s hard for us to imagine that anything good could ever come from persecution…but it’s true. Joseph told his brothers who sold him into slavery what they meant for evil God used for good (Gen 50:20). Luke provides us with at least 2 examples here in our text.

A. The Gospel message spreads.

Verse 4 says that everywhere the persecuted believers went…’they preached the Word.’ God’s promise to His people is that He will never leave nor forsake them. Therefore—no matter where we find ourselves or no matter why we are there…God’s Spirit is present and provides us with His strength to share the gospel.

 Trying to silence the people of God by scattering them is like trying to stop the itch of poison ivy by scratching…it only spreads them both. The irony here is in the Greek word translated scattered in verse 4. It comes from a word that means to sow or cast like a farmer does with seed. What the persecutors meant for evil…God used for spreading the good news.

B. Prejudice is overcome.

There was no love lost between the Jews and Samaritans. According to the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well in John 4…”Jews don’t associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Jews looked at Samaritans as ethnic half-breeds, inferior…certainly not equals.

Notice what’s happening here in verse 17. We see 2 prominent Jewish leaders in the early church being used by God to demonstrate that Samaritans have access to the same Holy Spirit as everyone else (Eph 2:13-22). Still further—verse 25 tells us that Peter and John preach in many Samaritan villages on their way back home to Jerusalem.

I wonder if any of the early disciples who heard Jesus say in Acts 1:8, ”You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria…thought, ‘Did He really say in Samaria?” That’s where those Samaritans live! Are they going to be a part of the kingdom?

Does the Pearl Harbor survivor need to share the gospel with Japanese people? What about family members of 911 victims—do they need to witness to Muslims? How about us—do we need to preach to the blacks, the Asians, the Hispanics and the other 50 or 100 or more ethnic people groups that live in Louisville? Yes!!!

The book of Acts is filled with stories about prosperity coming from persecution. A jailer in Philippi comes to faith because of a Christian prisoner in Acts 16. Persecution by the Jewish leaders—led to Paul being given a free ride to Rome where he, “boldly and without hindrance preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” to the most pagan culture in the world (Acts 28:31).

The Spirit of God is with us no matter where we are or no matter why we are there. If—that situation is the result of some form of persecution…we really only have two responses available to us. Oh me…why is this happening? Or—oh my…Lord what an opportunity! Philip saw his persecution as an opportunity to see the gospel prosper. What will we see?