Scattered

Pete Kersker - Apr 24, 2026

"...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV).

Jesus told his disciples (students) what would happen after he left. The Holy Spirit arrived the following Pentecost, kicking things off in Jerusalem, just as he said. Three thousand were baptized that first day, with thousands more added later as the number of disciples (students) grew in Jerusalem.

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8 NIV).

Every to the health and growth of Jesus' disciples (students) was thwarted by God through these faithful followers. Even threats from within their numbers were handled with great wisdom as the Holy Spirit worked through the ones who served. Stephen was one of these servants who became responsible for the distribution of food and even the word of God.

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia--who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke (Acts 6:9-10 NIV).

The Jewish council, including some of the same people who put Jesus to death, arrested Stephen and put him on trial. They stirred up false witnesses who testified against Stephen, and then gave Stephen a chance for his defense (Acts 7:1-53).Stephen replied in a way that called the council out for their part in Jesus' death: the very same one God declared both Christ and Lord.

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:57-60 NIV).

Stephen is the first martyr for the faith. He was killed for believing that Jesus is the Christ, the One through whom all people can be saved. When he died, though, God used it for good: scattering the disciples (students) out of Jerusalem and, with them, the truth about Jesus.

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1b NIV).

Did you know that Stephen's death, and the following persecution,
was the catalyst for the disciples (students)
to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria?

What catalyst would cause you to go out and tell others about Jesus?