Acts 11:19-30 NIV
God can use even the worst things that happen for the good of all people. Stephen's death would definitely not come under the category as a good thing. Yet, even as he was being stoned he testified to the kingdom of God. Just before he was stoned; "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'" (Acts 7:55-56)
Here in our reading today we find that all those people who had scattered by persecution after Stephen was killed traveled far and wide spreading the Good News to both Jew and Gentile. The stoning of Stephen initiated a wide-spread persecution of the Christians; yet, it also initiated a wide spread evangelism movement.
Jesus promised that persecutions will come to those who follow him. But, with persecution; much blessing not just for the one; but for those who witness the persecution and those who hear about it. Persecutions do come; but, blessings comes with it. For, "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:10)
God's Peace - Pr. J
God can use even the worst things that happen for the good of all people. Stephen's death would definitely not come under the category as a good thing. Yet, even as he was being stoned he testified to the kingdom of God. Just before he was stoned; "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'" (Acts 7:55-56)
Here in our reading today we find that all those people who had scattered by persecution after Stephen was killed traveled far and wide spreading the Good News to both Jew and Gentile. The stoning of Stephen initiated a wide-spread persecution of the Christians; yet, it also initiated a wide spread evangelism movement.
Jesus promised that persecutions will come to those who follow him. But, with persecution; much blessing not just for the one; but for those who witness the persecution and those who hear about it. Persecutions do come; but, blessings comes with it. For, "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:10)
God's Peace - Pr. J
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