1st RAVAGING Of The Church S5e49 Acts8:3

Today we move from the 1st martyr (Stephen), to the 1st persecution of the Church.  It is called a RAVAGING.  It is the 1st Ravaging.  It results in the 1st Scattering and the 1st geographically displaced evangelist (Phillip).

Some New Christians were getting their houses searched, being captured and dragged off.  It must not have been fun.  Perhaps they were wondering whether God fell off His throne or something.  "How could a just God let this happen?" They don't see the whole picture.

Meantime, the scattering of the Jerusalem Christians results in Phillip landing in Samaria.  It is the arch-enemy of the Jews for the last 500 years.  He preaches and they listen, signs are done, the paralyzed are healed, spirits are healed and JOY is in the city.

Sometimes we just don't see God's bigger picture when all we can see is our suffering.  God is at work both then and now.  They could not 'read ahead' to see the next paragraph or the next page.  We cannot either.  It resulted in JOY that they did not see.  Perhaps ours will too.  Share with someone who is suffering.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.  Link listening with something you do in the mornings or afternoons.