The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 8:1-4, “Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 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.”

The New Testament overflows with enemies of the Cross of Christ and the declaration of its message. Saul, whose own conversion appears in the next chapter of Acts (ch. 9), was adamantly convinced that Jesus and His followers were wrong and ought to be imprisoned or suffer death. Even Stephen’s death by stoning, as he continued to praise the LORD, had no immediate effect upon Saul.

The Church itself was scattered, as if the ambush of Saul was working. Yet, the church was “scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,” undoubtedly sharing the Word of Salvation. While it looked to many, maybe most, that persecution was disabling the Church, members of the church carried with them the Word of Salvation in Jesus Christ!

Christians in many countries of the world are today facing savage persecution; yet, many believers in Christ Jesus are reaching out to these very nations with the Gospel of Christ. Those who oppose Christ and His teachings always lose. What momentarily appears to be a victory against the Church, turns out to be victorious instead. There is no suppression of the Word of God! It always goes where it is sent and it achieves the purpose God Himself intends. Therefore, you witness for Him never in vain.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

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