The Paradox of Persecution
Dexu Xia
There was great joy in that city. Acts 8:8
Today's Scripture Acts 7:59—8:8
Today's Insights Stephen was one of seven men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3) chosen to distribute food to the widows (v. 1), freeing up the twelve apostles to focus on prayer and teaching the gospel (vv. 1-5). Stephen was “a man full of God’s grace and power” who did great miracles (v. 8). He came to the attention of unbelieving Jews and was falsely accused and brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews (vv. 9-14). Stephen seized the opportunity to talk about the Jews’ history of rejecting God, including the prophets and now Jesus (ch. 7). Incensed, the crowd stoned Stephen. Saul (also referred to as Paul) was among the crowd and “approved of their killing him” (8:1). Later Saul, a zealous persecutor, was converted (ch. 9) and became one of the persecuted. Yet he considered it a joy to suffer for Christ (Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). When we suffer persecution today, God can turn it into something precious.
Today's Devotional Something unusual happens in ten short verses starting with Acts 7:59. The story turns quickly from Stephen’s horrific death by stoning to other believers in Christ being scattered and “preach[ing] the word,” leading to these amazing words: “There was great joy in that city” (8:8). That’s the paradox of persecution.
European pastor Hristo Kulichev experienced the miracle of good coming from evil. In the 1980s, he was arrested for preaching and thrown in prison. While there, he spoke openly about the gospel of Jesus. Upon his release eight months later, he said, “We had a more fruitful ministry there than we could have expected in church. God was better served by our presence in prison than if we had been free.”
From persecution to great joy—just like in the early church. When “great persecution broke out” (Acts 8:1), “those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (v. 4). As a result, there was “great joy” in a city in Samaria (v. 8).
When forces in our world stand against the truths and teachings of Scripture—especially the gospel—that’s not the time to give up. God moves in powerful ways when the church faces such difficulties.
Peter said, “Do not be surprised” at such fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12). In such cases you’re “blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (v. 14). God has the power to turn persecution into something precious.
Reflect & Pray 逼迫的悖论
How does persecution both trouble you and encourage you? Why do you think it can lead to joy?
Dear God, please help me remain faithful to You. By Dave Branon
那城里有大喜乐。（使徒行传 8:8）
今日经文：使徒行传 75章9节至8章8 节
今日洞见 司提反是七位“充满圣灵和智慧”（使徒行传 6:3）的人之一，他们被拣选来分发食物给寡妇（第1节），使十二使徒得以专心祷告和传福音（第1-5节）。司提反“满有神的恩典和能力”，行了许多神迹（第8节）。他引起了不信的犹太人的注意，被诬告并带到犹太人的最高议会——公会面前（第9-14节）。司提反抓住机会，讲述了犹太人拒绝神的历史，包括他们拒绝先知，以及如今拒绝耶稣（第7章）。众人愤怒地用石头打死了司提反。扫罗（也称保罗）当时也在人群中，“赞同他们杀他”（第8:1）。后来，这位热心的迫害者扫罗悔改了（9章），也成了一个受迫害的人。然而，他认为为基督受苦是喜乐的事（罗马书 5:3-5；哥林多后书 12:9-10）。今天，当我们遭受迫害时，上帝也能将其转化为宝贵的恩典。
今日灵修：从使徒行传 7章59节开始的短短十节经文，发生了一件不同寻常的事。故事迅速从司提反被石头砸死的惨状，转变为其他信徒四散奔逃、“传讲福音”，最终引出了这句令人惊叹的话语：“那城里有大喜乐”（8:8）。这就是逼迫的悖论。 欧洲牧师赫里斯托·库利切夫亲身经历了从邪恶中带来益处的奇迹。上世纪 80 年代，他因传道被捕入狱。在狱中，他公开传讲耶稣的福音。八个月后获释时，他说：“我们在狱中的服事比在教会里更加卓有成效。我们在狱中的服事比我们自由时更能荣耀神。” 从逼迫到极大的喜乐，正如早期教会的经历。当“大逼迫爆发”（使徒行传 8:1）时，“那些分散的人无论走到哪里都传讲福音”（第4节）。结果，撒玛利亚的这座城里充满了“极大的喜乐”（第8节）。 当世上的势力与圣经的真理和教导，尤其与福音对抗时，绝对不是放弃的时候。当教会面临这样的困境时，神会以大能的方式动工。 彼得说：“不要因这样火的试炼而感到惊奇”（彼得前书 4:12）。在这种情况下，你是有福的，因为神荣耀的灵常住在你身上（第14节）。神有能力将逼迫转化为宝贵的恩典。
反思与祷告 逼迫是如何既让你感到困扰又激励你的？为什么你认为逼迫能带来喜乐？
亲爱的神，请帮助我忠于你。 戴夫·布兰农