Persecution, Providence, and Gospel Advance

Acts 8:1–4 (NASB95) 

1Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. 4Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 

After Stephen’s martyrdom, “devout men” buried him with “great mourning.” These men likely faced significant risks, as associating with a condemned figure could invite retribution. Notice how Stephen’s life, ministry, and death continue to reflect Christ’s. Just as Joseph of Arimathea honored Jesus in burial, so do these men with Stephen.   

Saul, introduced earlier as someone who approved of Stephen’s death, intensifies his campaign against the church by "ravaging” it—invading homes and imprisoning believers, including women, which is generally not seen in this culture. This brutality highlights the severity of the persecution faced by early Christians, yet Luke presents it within God’s sovereign plan. Just as Joseph’s betrayal led to Israel’s salvation, Saul’s violence inadvertently fuels the church’s expansion and drives the Gentile mission. Divine irony permeates the narrative: the enemy who is "breathing threats” will soon become the gospel’s chief ambassador.  

The persecution scatters believers throughout Judea and Samaria, fulfilling Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8. While the apostles remain in Jerusalem, the displaced church acts as a mobile witness—a theme central to Luke’s theology. The Hellenists, who were criticized for challenging temple-centric traditions, now lead the mission to Samaritans and Gentiles. This scattering breaks down ethnic and cultural barriers, foreshadowing the global reach of the gospel. Stephen’s theological vision of a God not confined to temples becomes a reality as the church multiplies beyond Jerusalem. 

Saul’s persecution highlights that no human hostility can obstruct God’s purposes. When confronted with cultural antagonism or injustice, trust that God sovereignly works even through conflict to advance His Kingdom (Romans 8:28). Stephen’s death and Saul’s rage could not silence the Gospel—they amplified it. May we, like the scattered church, transform trials into testimony, knowing that “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18). 

Blessings, 

Ryan Goodnight