“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” — Acts 8:4
When persecution broke out in Jerusalem, the church didn’t collapse. It scattered. But it didn’t scatter in silence, it scattered with a message.
What happened in Acts 8 isn’t just a historical footnote. It’s a theological earthquake, revealing the strength of conviction, the radical nature of transformation, and the unstoppable momentum of truth.
1. The Apostles Stayed: Proof of Formation
“All except the apostles were scattered.” Acts 8:1
Why did the apostles stay behind in Jerusalem the epicenter of hostility?
Weren’t they in danger too?
Yes. But here’s the thing: the same men who once fled from Roman soldiers (and denied knowing Jesus) now stood firm.
What changed?
Resurrection. Pentecost. Formation. Conviction.
Their decision to remain wasn’t stubbornness, it was leadership. It was courage. It was maturity. They had grown from shaken disciples into rooted shepherds. Staying wasn’t a symbol of superiority; it was a sign of spiritual formation.
2. Paul: From Hunter to Herald
Acts 8 introduces Saul, the persecutor-in-chief. He’s not just watching the persecution, he’s organising it. Dragging believers from their homes. Hunting them down.
And yet… this same Saul would become Paul,
the loudest voice for Christ since Christ.
That kind of transformation doesn’t come from persuasion. It doesn’t come from guilt or tradition. It comes from encounter.
Paul met Jesus. And the man who tried to kill the gospel became its chief ambassador.
This is one of the most compelling arguments for the resurrection: People don’t suffer for lies they made up. And enemies don’t become evangelists unless something real happens.
3. Preaching While Running: The Scattered Church Still Spoke
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:4
They ran. But they didn’t retreat.
These weren’t professional pastors. These were ordinary people with extraordinary conviction. They didn’t wait for safe pulpits, they made every step a sermon.
They didn’t carry fear. They carried fire.
This is where the early church becomes a living apologetic and a walking witness. Their lives preached louder than their words:
- They preached while grieving.
- They preached while hiding.
- They preached while running because they believed Jesus was worth it.
4. What It Says to Us Today
We may not be facing physical persecution. But we are surrounded by cultural pressure to stay silent. To blend in. To sit down.
But the scattered believers remind us: When the truth changes you, you don’t need ideal conditions to share it. You just need courage.
Your life can be a sermon on the move — even in seasons of uncertainty.
Conclusion: The Gospel Doesn’t Need a Stage — Just a Willing Witness
The early church didn’t wait for microphones or stability. They moved with conviction because they believed the message mattered more than comfort.
And maybe that’s the challenge for us: If the gospel is real enough to run with, is it real enough to speak through us, even when it costs us?
Reflection Questions:
- Do I only share my faith when life is calm?
- What would it look like to “preach while running” in my context?
- Have I grown in courage like the apostles or am I still hiding behind fear?
