The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 8:1-4, “And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a

great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered

throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.

3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and

women, he would put them in prison.

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

Some days ago, I saw a house for sale in a southern state. What was unusual? It was free!

When you read something like that, you’re probably at the top of the skeptical scale. But this was true –uh, to a point. The house had to be moved. What’s more, it was a two-story house. You just want to turn the page, don’t you? But suppose it were truly free! Suppose the owner agrees to move it at no cost to you? –and only “catch” is that you have to live in the house. That changes everything!

Saul was well aware of the freedom that early Christians claimed to possessed. But he was devoted to Judaism! Christians must be destroyed!! So, he did everything he could to destroy this new belief-system that claimed to supersede Judaism. He authorized the death of one Stephen and “ravaged the church!” What could the Church possibly do?

The last of our four verses above tells the story: “Therefore, those who had been scattered (due to Saul’s raiding homes and slaying believers) went about (everywhere) preaching the Word.” We’d be likely to say, “Well, you have to do what you have to do.” That’s what these early Christians said and they did it!

It would hardly be acceptable to say that the LORD put it into Saul’s heart and mind to persecute His own believers. Yet, He utilized the wrong to produce the right. Illness takes us to hospitals, but there we find doctors and nurses, some of whom don’t know Jesus. Debt drives us to banks to borrow money; but there are bankers who don’t know the LORD. Worry causes a wreck of the car; but the tow-truck driver and the automotive repair men and the insurance adjustors all need the LORD, too. Tragedies open opportunities! Look for the opportunity!

Let what appears to be an obstacle work for you in sharing the Bible’s Good News with others! Even when your message is rejected, it will be remembered. What’s more, in yet another tragedy, it will be resurrected and redound to the Glory of Almighty God! This is the LORD’s business. We’re just His messengers, “scattered about, preaching the Word.” As my Aussie Christian friends would say, “Give it a go, mate!” The “success” is up to the LORD.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,a

(Dado III)

NOTE: Attached is a paper on the logical arrangement of the first five books of the New Testament.

The LORD supervises the arrangement and placement of His Books. Take a look.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom