When God Uses Persecution to Propel His Purpose
The early church faced an unexpected turning point. For eight years, believers had faithfully proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem and the surrounding region of Judea. They were obeying the first part of Jesus's command to be witnesses. But there was a problem—they had completely avoided the second part of His mission: Samaria.
Why would they avoid an entire region? The answer reveals something uncomfortable about human nature and the barriers we construct, even as followers of Christ.
The Eight-Year Gap
Between Jesus's ascension and the persecution that scattered the church, eight years passed. Eight years of growth, miracles, and powerful testimonies—all confined to comfortable territory. The believers stayed where they felt safe, among people who looked like them, thought like them, and worshiped like them.
In biblical numerology, eight represents new beginnings. And indeed, Acts chapter 8 marks a radical new beginning for the church, though it came through suffering rather than through simple obedience.
When persecution broke out after Stephen's martyrdom, believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. What the enemy intended for destruction, God transformed into multiplication. The very thing meant to silence the gospel actually amplified it, carrying the good news into regions previously untouched.
This pattern reveals a profound truth about God's economy: He consistently takes what the enemy does and reverses it for multiplication. From Joseph's slavery to the cross itself, God specializes in redemptive reversals.
The Samaria Problem
Understanding why the early church avoided Samaria requires stepping into their historical context. The hatred between Jews and Samaritans ran deep, rooted in centuries of conflict and theological disagreement.
Samaritans were considered "half-breeds"—people of mixed Jewish and Gentile ancestry. When Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, Samaritans vigorously opposed them. They had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, claiming it as the proper place to worship God. They rejected all Hebrew scriptures beyond the first five books of Moses. Samaria even became a refuge for Jewish criminals and outlaws.
From a Jewish perspective, everything about Samaria represented compromise, rebellion, and theological error. The idea of bringing the gospel there seemed not just uncomfortable but almost offensive.
Yet Jesus had already modeled the way forward. In John chapter 4, He deliberately traveled through Samaria and engaged a woman at Jacob's well—breaking every social and religious barrier of His day. That encounter was more than a beautiful story of individual redemption. It was a prophetic seed planted for His disciples, showing them how to love the hard-to-love and reach the seemingly unreachable.
Philip's Obedient Step
Among those scattered by persecution was Philip, one of the seven chosen to serve tables in Acts chapter 6. Like Stephen, Philip was described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit. When persecution struck, Philip didn't retreat—he advanced into enemy territory.
He went to Samaria.
What Philip discovered there was remarkable: the Samaritan people were open to hearing the gospel. As he proclaimed Christ, powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit followed. Demons were cast out. Paralyzed people walked. The lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
The harvest Jesus had been preparing was ready. It just required someone willing to cross uncomfortable boundaries to reap it.
This raises a challenging question for modern believers: Where is God calling us to go that we've been avoiding? Who are the people we find hard to love, yet represent the very harvest God wants us to reach?
The Sorcerer Who Met the Savior
In this Samaritan city lived a man named Simon who practiced sorcery—not stage magic or illusion, but actual engagement with demonic power. Simon had used this dark power to build a platform for himself, to gain attention and acclaim. The people called him "the great power of God," and he reveled in that identity.
But Simon's magic was fundamentally self-focused. He used supernatural power to elevate himself, to build his own name and reputation.
Then Philip arrived, demonstrating a completely different kind of power. Where Simon's magic served himself, Philip's miracles served others. Where Simon sought glory, Philip pointed to Jesus. Where demonic power brought bondage, Holy Spirit power brought freedom.
The contrast was unmistakable.
Simon himself believed and was baptized. The man who had once amazed crowds with sorcery now followed Philip everywhere, amazed at the genuine signs and miracles being performed. Jesus had taken Simon's hunger for power and redirected it toward the only power that truly matters—the power of the Holy Spirit working through humble servants for the good of others.
A Call to Spiritual Warfare
This account from Acts chapter 8 isn't merely historical. It carries urgent relevance for believers today, particularly regarding spiritual warfare.
The same demonic forces that empowered Simon's sorcery remain active. Witchcraft, rebellion, deception, and the occult continue to hold people in bondage. Cities and communities remain under spiritual oppression, waiting for the church to arise with the authority and power of Christ.
The spirit of Jezebel—which seeks to intimidate, control, and snuff out kingdom work—operates in partnership with the spirit of Ahab, which represents compromised leadership that opens doors for false worship and idolatry.
But the church possesses something far greater than any demonic force: the name and authority of Jesus Christ.
Victory begins not with programs or strategies, but with prayer, intercession, and fasting. It starts with believers who refuse to compromise, who guard their hearts and minds, and who are willing to stand firm in righteousness.
Before we can bring light to our communities, we must ensure we're walking in that light ourselves. Repentance, cleansing, and renewed surrender to Christ must precede effective spiritual warfare.
The Greater Power
The central message of Philip's ministry in Samaria was simple yet profound: Jesus is greater than magic. Jesus is greater than demonic power. Jesus is greater than every force of darkness.
This truth hasn't changed. Whatever holds people in bondage today—addiction, deception, false religions, occult practices, or simple unbelief—Jesus remains greater.
The question is whether His church will step into the uncomfortable places, cross the barriers we've constructed, and demonstrate His superior power with humility and love.
Like Philip, we're called not to puff ourselves up but to serve others sacrificially. We're called to bring the light of truth with love to those trapped in darkness. We're called to see people not as enemies but as the very harvest God wants to reach.
The same Holy Spirit who empowered Philip to heal the sick and cast out demons dwells in every believer. The same gospel that brought joy to Samaria can bring joy to our cities and communities.
But it requires obedience, even when that obedience leads us to uncomfortable places and difficult people.
God hasn't changed His mission. He's still calling His church to be witnesses—not just in comfortable territory, but in the hard places, among the hard people, wherever darkness needs light.
The harvest is waiting. Will we go?
The early church faced an unexpected turning point. For eight years, believers had faithfully proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem and the surrounding region of Judea. They were obeying the first part of Jesus's command to be witnesses. But there was a problem—they had completely avoided the second part of His mission: Samaria.
Why would they avoid an entire region? The answer reveals something uncomfortable about human nature and the barriers we construct, even as followers of Christ.
The Eight-Year Gap
Between Jesus's ascension and the persecution that scattered the church, eight years passed. Eight years of growth, miracles, and powerful testimonies—all confined to comfortable territory. The believers stayed where they felt safe, among people who looked like them, thought like them, and worshiped like them.
In biblical numerology, eight represents new beginnings. And indeed, Acts chapter 8 marks a radical new beginning for the church, though it came through suffering rather than through simple obedience.
When persecution broke out after Stephen's martyrdom, believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. What the enemy intended for destruction, God transformed into multiplication. The very thing meant to silence the gospel actually amplified it, carrying the good news into regions previously untouched.
This pattern reveals a profound truth about God's economy: He consistently takes what the enemy does and reverses it for multiplication. From Joseph's slavery to the cross itself, God specializes in redemptive reversals.
The Samaria Problem
Understanding why the early church avoided Samaria requires stepping into their historical context. The hatred between Jews and Samaritans ran deep, rooted in centuries of conflict and theological disagreement.
Samaritans were considered "half-breeds"—people of mixed Jewish and Gentile ancestry. When Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, Samaritans vigorously opposed them. They had built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, claiming it as the proper place to worship God. They rejected all Hebrew scriptures beyond the first five books of Moses. Samaria even became a refuge for Jewish criminals and outlaws.
From a Jewish perspective, everything about Samaria represented compromise, rebellion, and theological error. The idea of bringing the gospel there seemed not just uncomfortable but almost offensive.
Yet Jesus had already modeled the way forward. In John chapter 4, He deliberately traveled through Samaria and engaged a woman at Jacob's well—breaking every social and religious barrier of His day. That encounter was more than a beautiful story of individual redemption. It was a prophetic seed planted for His disciples, showing them how to love the hard-to-love and reach the seemingly unreachable.
Philip's Obedient Step
Among those scattered by persecution was Philip, one of the seven chosen to serve tables in Acts chapter 6. Like Stephen, Philip was described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit. When persecution struck, Philip didn't retreat—he advanced into enemy territory.
He went to Samaria.
What Philip discovered there was remarkable: the Samaritan people were open to hearing the gospel. As he proclaimed Christ, powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit followed. Demons were cast out. Paralyzed people walked. The lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
The harvest Jesus had been preparing was ready. It just required someone willing to cross uncomfortable boundaries to reap it.
This raises a challenging question for modern believers: Where is God calling us to go that we've been avoiding? Who are the people we find hard to love, yet represent the very harvest God wants us to reach?
The Sorcerer Who Met the Savior
In this Samaritan city lived a man named Simon who practiced sorcery—not stage magic or illusion, but actual engagement with demonic power. Simon had used this dark power to build a platform for himself, to gain attention and acclaim. The people called him "the great power of God," and he reveled in that identity.
But Simon's magic was fundamentally self-focused. He used supernatural power to elevate himself, to build his own name and reputation.
Then Philip arrived, demonstrating a completely different kind of power. Where Simon's magic served himself, Philip's miracles served others. Where Simon sought glory, Philip pointed to Jesus. Where demonic power brought bondage, Holy Spirit power brought freedom.
The contrast was unmistakable.
Simon himself believed and was baptized. The man who had once amazed crowds with sorcery now followed Philip everywhere, amazed at the genuine signs and miracles being performed. Jesus had taken Simon's hunger for power and redirected it toward the only power that truly matters—the power of the Holy Spirit working through humble servants for the good of others.
A Call to Spiritual Warfare
This account from Acts chapter 8 isn't merely historical. It carries urgent relevance for believers today, particularly regarding spiritual warfare.
The same demonic forces that empowered Simon's sorcery remain active. Witchcraft, rebellion, deception, and the occult continue to hold people in bondage. Cities and communities remain under spiritual oppression, waiting for the church to arise with the authority and power of Christ.
The spirit of Jezebel—which seeks to intimidate, control, and snuff out kingdom work—operates in partnership with the spirit of Ahab, which represents compromised leadership that opens doors for false worship and idolatry.
But the church possesses something far greater than any demonic force: the name and authority of Jesus Christ.
Victory begins not with programs or strategies, but with prayer, intercession, and fasting. It starts with believers who refuse to compromise, who guard their hearts and minds, and who are willing to stand firm in righteousness.
Before we can bring light to our communities, we must ensure we're walking in that light ourselves. Repentance, cleansing, and renewed surrender to Christ must precede effective spiritual warfare.
The Greater Power
The central message of Philip's ministry in Samaria was simple yet profound: Jesus is greater than magic. Jesus is greater than demonic power. Jesus is greater than every force of darkness.
This truth hasn't changed. Whatever holds people in bondage today—addiction, deception, false religions, occult practices, or simple unbelief—Jesus remains greater.
The question is whether His church will step into the uncomfortable places, cross the barriers we've constructed, and demonstrate His superior power with humility and love.
Like Philip, we're called not to puff ourselves up but to serve others sacrificially. We're called to bring the light of truth with love to those trapped in darkness. We're called to see people not as enemies but as the very harvest God wants to reach.
The same Holy Spirit who empowered Philip to heal the sick and cast out demons dwells in every believer. The same gospel that brought joy to Samaria can bring joy to our cities and communities.
But it requires obedience, even when that obedience leads us to uncomfortable places and difficult people.
God hasn't changed His mission. He's still calling His church to be witnesses—not just in comfortable territory, but in the hard places, among the hard people, wherever darkness needs light.
The harvest is waiting. Will we go?
Pastor Aaron Calhoun
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