Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭31‬-‭32‬
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

The word of God made flesh, Jesus Christ, was given to us. The life he lived was a source of life to us, because he gives our existence true eternal meaning and purpose. We live lives beyond ourselves, acting in awesome love and grace, and our impact is multiplied.

As the Word of God entered into the heart of Steven, it impacted him in a powerful way. He put everything on the line to boldly call for repentance and salvation in Jesus’ name. This had a couple of results: 1) He was murdered, martyred for his faith at the hands of the Jewish leaders. 2) It resulted in persecution throughout the church in Jerusalem, where the church was predominantly located. In response to this persecution, many believers relocated quickly. And as they relocated, they boldly shared the truth about Jesus with their new neighbors. This was mainly done with fellow Jews.

Now we read that some of these Jews went to Antioch and shared the truth about Jesus with the Greeks. There was a revival there and the church sent Barnabas over to help the church.

The picture I see here is of the Word of God (Jesus first, then the Holy Spirit through his disciples) going out into the world in power. It shines a light that rescues souls, and it expands because it is true and right.

Stephen was a catalyst in his death for the rapid growth of believers back then. Steven’s death and the subsequent persecution of the church by Saul had a scattering effect on the believers, like seeds blown in the wind. And as they were planted, though small in numbers in each town (like the mustard seed) their active faith was powerful and grew to bring salvation and to encourage and support the people who lived in their new cities. And as they grew and needed help, the Apostles sent Barnabas (the son of encouragement) to build them up.

This is a model of evangelism. God uses the trials in our life to spread the gospel if we will let him. And he brings in reinforcements as we experience growing pains.

Thank you, Lord, for your powerful move to bring salvation through your faithful believers in the early church. May I be counted among those willing to let you move powerfully today!