The Method in God's "Madness"

“A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1. This, tsunami of persecution, started on the very day that Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death.  None of this sounds like good news for the fledgling church.  In fact,  blows like this could have easily put the kibosh on a humanly conceived organization; but this was no ordinary group.  God, in his usual, beyond our understanding way, used this horrific event as a springboard for his supernatural plans.

 Let’s analyze this verse a bit closer to see God’s method in his madness.  First of all, the death of Stephen.  How can a death be beneficial? The Book of Acts tells us that Stephen was a quiet man, full of faith and the Holy Spirit.  When an situation arose in the early church, over who would be involved in the daily distribution of food, this godly man and 6 others were chosen to be in charge. Not exactly a high profile ministry, but one that needed to be done.  He wasn’t a front man like Peter, just a humble, loving follower of his beloved Savior, “who was full of grace, power and did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” Acts 6:8.  When jealous members of the “religious” Sanhedrin, trumped up bogus charges against this gentle man, he was arrested and brought before the high and mighty gathering.  A phenomenal thing happened as they rudely interrogated him. “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like that of an angel”. Acts 6:15.

 Following this, transfiguration of sorts, Stephen, speaking under the unction of the Holy Spirit, boldly, confidently gave a full account of God’s plan for salvation beginning from the days of Abraham until the death, resurrection and  ascension of Christ. He finished strong with these words, “ You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!  You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!  Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered him - you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”  This impassioned speech caused the listeners to become furious, gnash their teeth and put him to death.  But, God performed a mighty work through Stephen, that day.  Even as he lay dying these his final words must have hit home; “ Lord Jesus receive my spirit and don’t hold this sin against them.“ Who knows how many were convicted that day, but I‘m guessing quite a few.

Secondly, the dispersion of all the believers.  How can that be construed as a positive move?  Well, if things had been comfy and cushy for the church, there would have been no urgency to leave the friendly confines of Jerusalem.  It was at this “low” point, as we humanly see it, that God used the opportunity to send the Gospel message out to the ends of the earth. In our own lives, if we allow God to do his thing, even the most devastating circumstances can become our greatest blessings.

 Recently a dear friend shared, with our Bible study group, how devastated she felt when her husband had lost his job years ago.  As she told a woman she knew, the lady didn’t coddle or empathize with her, instead she said, “This might be the best thing that ever happened to you.” Of course that’s not what my friend wanted to hear, and it made her angry.  But, because of this terrible loss, her husband went on to start his own business, which flourished financially over the years.  If he had stayed in the security of his old job, he never would have achieved this goal.  It’s never easy to face personal or financial loss, it hurts, but if we faithfully look beyond the immediate, and ask God to implement his perfect, supernaturally-charged plan,  he will.  Believe it, Stephen did!