Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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PROCLAIM CHRIST AMIDST PERSECUTION

Bible Reading:  Acts of the Apostles chapter 8: 1 – 11

Key verse:   Those who had been scattered, preached the Word wherever they went (v.4).


DEVOTION

The chief purpose of Acts of the Apostles is to tell how the disciples of Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the Good News in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth in spite of the persecution of the Jerusalem church.
Today we are meditating on the subject “Proclaim Christ amidst persecution”, based on Acts Chapter 8: 1-11. This passage highlights the following points:

1. Believers Scattered but Not Silenced: The Gospel Spreads Through Persecution (v 1 -4)
Acts of the Apostles chapter 7 ends with the martyrdom of Stephen, who was stoned to death by the persecutors of Christian faith, with the approval of Saul (later St. Paul), who spearheaded the persecution of the faithful Christians (v. 3).  Following the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution erupted against the Jerusalem church with the result  many of the believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. This could not destroy the church; rather God, in His own sovereign way, used the scattered people to proclaim the good news of Christ to the people wherever they are scattered (v.4).
2. Boldness in Evangelism – Philip (v. 5 -8):   Luke cites the example of Philip, a persecuted Christian, who proclaimed the Gospel in the city of Samaria (v.5).  Philip and the other believers did not keep silent about their faith. Instead of hiding, they preached the Gospel wherever they went. In Samaria, Philip performed many miracles, healed lame people, evil spirits came out from many people with a loud cry.  Seeing these miracles, people believed in the Gospel, and there was great joy in the city of Samaria.  This boldness is a mark of true discipleship. Every believer is called to share the gospel, regardless of circumstances.  Boldness is not the absence of fear; but the choice to trust God. This portion teaches that faithfulness to Christ requires courage, and God empowers those who step out in obedience.  
3. New Testament times and modern times: The first few centuries of the New Testament times   have volumes to speak about the persecution and proclamation of the Gospel in accordance with the great commissioning of disciples of Jesus Christ “Go then to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and to teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely, I am with you always to the very end of the age” (St. Mathew 28: 19 – 20). The believers obeyed and went forth preaching the Good News (Acts 8:4).  As a result, the gospel was taken to the whole world known to that time in a generation’s time. History says that all the apostles of Jesus Christ, except St. John, have become martyrs for proclaiming the Gospel. Roman emperor Nero was one of the prominent emperors who persecuted Christians. Many church fathers of first few centuries have been brutally killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ and they became living witnesses/martyrs of Jesus. During the medieval times, many missionaries from western countries travelled far and wide to different continents facing persecution, and spread the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Today, in the modern times also, Christians are being persecuted in different parts of the world, including our mother-land.   Believers are harassed, arrested and put in jail on flimsy grounds, and compelled to forsake Christian faith. Many places of worship are pulled down in different parts of India. The harsh memory of burning of Australian missionary Graham Stains and his two sons in 1999 while sleeping in their jeep in Orissa, the execution of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya by ISIS are few examples, which still bother our minds.  In spite of severe persecution, believers hold on to their faith and proclaim the good news of Christ, as we read in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction”.  God will encourage, empower and enrich us when we commit our lives for the Mission of God. Each believer has an individual responsibility in fulfilling this great commission.  
4. Simon the Sorcerer:  His heart was Not Right with God(v.9 - 11)
This passage also speaks about Simon the sorcerer, who amazed people in Samaria with his magic. When he saw Philip performing real miracles through the power of God, he believed and was baptized. However, his true motives were exposed when he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money from apostles Peter and John. Simon believed in miracles but failed to surrender his heart to God. Jesus warned about false disciples who perform great works, but do not truly know Him (Mathew 7:21-23). Simon’s story in Acts chapter 8: 9 -24 is a warning to all of us. 
CONCLUSION
The church grew not in comfort but in crisis. The same is true today. Today’s devotion challenges us to trust that God is with us (Immanuel) even in the midst of trials. We must be willing to carry the gospel wherever He leads us, knowing that no hardship can stop His mission. God is calling us to boldness. If fear has kept us silent, it’s time to surrender that fear to Him. If we’ve been too comfortable, it’s time to step out and proclaim Christ. Today’s devotion reminds us that persecution did not silence the gospel then, and it will not silence it now. The question is, are we  available and  faithful in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

PRAYER

Lord. Jesus, help us to stand firm in the face of opposition and share the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, without fear. Strengthen our faith, remove our doubts, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Let us see every challenge as an opportunity to advance Your kingdom. Thank You for using us as Your witnesses. Amen
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church


Philip Jacob
The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island
New York

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