David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 8:1-8

And Saul approved of [Stephen’s] execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

The name “Acts of the Apostles” is sometimes given to this fifth book of the New Testament which most often is now referred to by the simple title, “Acts.” But the legacy of the phrase, “of the Apostles” is strong and even a somewhat significant point regarding the mission of God and the leadership of the Church. I was taught at seminary that the miracles and outpouring of the Holy Spirit were done only by the hands of the apostles. The assertion seemed plausible, and I gave it little thought. It seemed clear to me, also, that the Apostles were the chief mission officers of the Church.

I should have looked closer, however, at passages such as this. For here it is clear that the spread of the faith occurred not by means of the Apostles, but by the witnessing and evangelizing of all the scattered people – everyone “except the apostles.” Not only so, but Philip – one of the newly-elected deacons – is performing miracles and proclaiming Christ.

It might be an overstatement, but it might also be worth considering that the greatest means by which the mission of God is advanced is by means of persecution. Here persecution scatters believers and they share the Good News of Jesus: and the church grows. In China, Chairman Mao expelled all the Christian (Western/foreign) missionaries and threatened any who follow Christ: the church went underground and grew. In Ethiopia, in the face of Islamic threats and nearby violence in Sudan and Somolia, the Christian Church is growing. In fact, the largest Lutheran Churches in the world (outside of Sweden) are in Tanzania and Ethiopia – each with more than 5.3 million members. Both of these countries have strong Muslim populations. (cf. The ten largest Lutheran church bodies, blog post by Gene Edward Veith)

If the church is to grow and the kingdom is to expand, it seems that God’s plan is for that to be accomplished by a larger group than the official leadership of the church. The apostles were vital to the direction and authentication of the church’s message in the days of the Early Church. Church history strongly suggests that each of the twelve – except John – went on to face a martyr’s death, having refused to abandon the faith. Bartholomew and Thomas are said to have gone to India with the message of Christ. Andrew is said to have preached in what we know today as Georgia and Bulgaria. But the spread of the Word of God occurred by the mouths of many who were not officially called Apostles. And God used those many to bring others to faith.

If we see the Church as a “Larder of Grace” – a place where we come to get our spiritual cups filled for the week, administered by officially-designated providers – we will likely not be inclined toward mission. If, however, we see the church as the sustainer of God’s people in mission we will be much more likely to be part of what God is doing to advance his kingdom in the world. Such is, in fact, our calling.

When persecution and hardship comes to the church God is no less on his heavenly throne than when our churches are filled with Christmas and Easter celebrants. In fact, the mission of God is not so much a matter of getting people to church as it is to move God’s people from the church into the world to announce and demonstrate the reign of God in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I’m trying to understand and embrace that truth these days. Are you with me in this regard?