Can you think of anything in this world that is indestructible? I can only think of one thing. The CHURCH Jesus Christ said He Himself would build. (Matthew 16:13-18.)
Jesus’ true Church is a Church that reaches all over the world, but it is NOT a building made up with bricks; it is made up with PEOPLE. (Mark 16:15-16) People who are joined and held together by their common faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, as their ONLY Lord and Saviour. (Ephesians 2:8-10, 19-22.)
Let me tell you of someone who thought this was nonsense, and who set out to destroy Jesus’ Church by punishing and destroying those who believed in Jesus. His name was Saul.
A young man called Stephen had become the first Christian martyr. “Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him …” (verses 1-2.)
Saul’s bitter and terrible hatred against Jesus’ Church increased. “Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” (verse 3.) Surely, the Church made up of believers like these would soon be crushed, destroyed and forgotten. NO! Instead, “those who had been scattered preached the WORD wherever they went.”! (verse 4.)
You see, the truly born-again Christian does not think it strange to face painful opposition because of their faith in Jesus. Rather it is a cause for rejoicing! in so far as it is sharing the shame and rejection their Lord, Jesus Christ Himself, suffered as God’s messenger among men. (Hebrews 12:2-4. John 15:18-21. 16:33.) “It is enough for the student to be like his teacher and the servant like his master.” (Matthew 10:24-32. 1stPeter 2:20-25. 4:12-13.)
So, Saul’s attempts to destroy the faith of the Christians were failing miserably. The indestructible Church kept growing and spreading! More people were hearing about Jesus, and despite the threat of persecution, many were willing to put their trust in Christ ALONE as their Saviour. (John 10:24-29.)
The indestructible Church is still being persecuted today - and it is still growing all over the world, despite being strongly persecuted in most countries, just as God warned us it would be! (1stPeter 4:12-16.)
Do you belong to that Church of people, that reaches right around the world, having the LORD JESUS CHRIST as its only Priest and Saviour? (Colossians 1:18-20. Ephesians 2:17-22.) If you do, then don’t be put off by the opposition and cruelty of religious people against you! Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12.)
Read Acts chapter 8, verses 1-4.
For the next reading from Acts of the Apostles go to NEXT
In order to browse further "Good News Compage" prompts and commentaries for Acts of the Apostles go to
Acts COMPLETE index.
---------------oOo---------------