Atos 8

Atos 8

Boice - There are different words for “scattered” in Greek. One means dispersed so that the item is gone from that point on, like scattering a person’s ashes on the ocean’s waves. That is not the word used here in Acts 8:1 and Acts 8:4. The word used here means scattered in order to be planted. It is exactly like the Hebrew word jezreel, meaning “scattered” (ED: ACTUALLY IT MEANS "GOD SOWS/SCATTERS") but also “planted.” It is what God did with Israel, scattering the Jews throughout the world because of their sin (SEE DIASPORA); but He also brought them back and planted them in their land. The disciples were scattered as a result of the persecution. But all the leaders did by scattering the disciples was to plant them in the places to which they had been scattered, for there they “preached the word” (Acts 8:4). Is that true of you? Wherever you find yourself—whether scattered by work or family or education or some other means—have you considered yourself planted in that place? Have you put down roots and born fruit for Jesus Christ? That is what these early Christians did. It is because of this activity that even the bad things that had happened to them served to advance the cause of Christ. Later Paul would write, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Ro 8:28+). The persecution of the early church, even the stoning of Stephen, illustrates that principle. (Acts: An Expositional Commentary) Except the apostles - This is an interesting qualifying statement. Remember the apostles are the ones who literally heard the words of Acts 1:8 and yet here we see they are remaining in Jerusalem and not going forth to Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest parts of the earth! What gives? Were they being disobedient the clear instructions of the Lord Jesus? Barclay on except the apostles has an interesting hypothesis on why they did not leave Jerusalem - The apostles stood firm. Others might flee, but they braved whatever dangers might come; and they did this for two reasons. (a) They were men of courage. The novelist Joseph Conrad tells that, when he was a young sailor learning to steer a sailing-ship, a gale blew up. The older man who was teaching him gave him just one piece of advice: ‘Keep her facing it. Always keep her facing it.’ The apostles were determined to face whatever dangers threatened. (b) They were good men. Christians they might be, but there was something about them that won the respect of all. It is told that a slanderous accusation was once levelled against Plato. His answer was: ‘I will live in such a way that all men will know that it is a lie.’ The beauty and the power of the lives of the apostles was so impressive that, even at a time of persecution, the authorities hesitated to lay their hands upon them.