Thursday, January 6: Acts 8- Everyone.

This is one of the few chapters in Acts where Peter and Paul are not the main character. Instead Philip, one of the seven, commands center stage and God uses him in extraordinary ways.

Despite this observation, the everyday believer garnered my devotional attention. The chapter continues the account, which began with Stephen’s martyrdom in chapter 7 and Luke explains, On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. … Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went (1-4).

This persecution affected everyone in the church in dramatic ways. First people were scattered. Linger for a moment. Long time residents of Jerusalem flee from their homes and possibly their inheritance. Visitors who were saved while being in Jerusalem have to cut short their visit and flee, hopefully home. The disruption for people –everyday people like you and me- was great, not to mention carrying the possibility of death! The ugliness continues as Saul leads raiding parties that break into homes, drag out believers and imprison them. This is the kind of story that surfaces in despotic regimes that dotted the 20^th century.

What simply blew my mind, however, was not the cruelty of Saul and men like him, but the faith of these scattered men and women who preached the word wherever they went. These regular men and women of the church, fleeing for their lives, continued to talk up Jesus. Luke is not talking about the big name apostles or even the Seven.  He is writing about moms and dads, teens and slaves, who were saved by the blood of Jesus, and were now spreading Jesus’ name through out the world as they scattered to safety.

What got to me is that even though the apostles and other leaders get most of the print in Acts, the church grew because of the ‘everyones’ of the church.

And the same is true today. Christian celebrities have a place in the church, but real growth of the kingdom occurs because men and women share the name of Jesus during everyday life!

Lord, I want to be a faithful ‘everyone’ sharing Jesus as I live life. Help me to listen well to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit, so that in tune with You I speak for You that others might believe in You, Jesus. In Your name. Amen.