(Randy Harshbarger)

"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). Stephen was dead, Saul was on a rampage, the apostles were left alone in Jerusalem, and persecuted Christians were preaching the word. What a remarkable story! Hearts were saddened at the loss of Stephen, that young man, "full of grace and power," who had, "wrought great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8).

Yes, we can read his sermon on the pages of inspiration; but wouldn't you like to have been there, to have heard his eloquence, and to have seen the convicting power of God's word? Surely the Christians left behind mourned the loss of this man of great faith. Surely they were encouraged at his last words: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ... Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:59-60).

Then, there was another young man, Saul of Tarsus. How could a young man be so full of hatred for those dreaded Christians? Later evidence suggests a thorough education in Judaism (Acts 22:3). Most will admit being influenced in at least some way(s) by their teachers; Saul more so than perhaps most. His zeal for the Law of Moses and for the traditions of the fathers produced a rabid, zealous disciple of what he believed to be absolutely right. He was willing to openly declare his allegiance to Judaism. But the change that came over Saul on the Damascus road is a watershed, too. So ferocious was Saul's opposition to Christ, that his conversion the one he had been persecuting is more remarkable and glaring. Some of the Christians wondered if the change was real. But it was, as the life of the Apostle Paul bears out.

What about the apostles who remained in Jerusalem? The Lord had commanded them to wait in the city for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4), but how long after this they were to remain is unclear. Undoubtedly, by this time there were Christians in prison; and they would need comforting and assistance. Luke does not tell us if Peter and John and James and the others became the immediate target for more opposition.

They had already suffered much, with more to come (Acts 5, 12). Did Peter ever forget his denial of the Lord? Did John ever forget the great love he had for his Savior, and the Savior for him? Each man had his own story to tell. The statement made by Paul sums up the reality of each apostle: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Philippians 3:10).

And then, there were those persecuted Christians who were scattered throughout the region of Judea. They did their work well. Again from Paul: "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews" (1 Thessalonians. 2:14). There was something lasting about the work these people did. Their emphasis was God's word. They were happy to announce the good news of salvation to lost men and women.

"The people doing this evangelizing were not elders, deacons, and preachers. They were disciples, great hosts of them, seeking a place of refuge from the destruction of Saul. As they found places to sleep or stay for a few days, they would have to explain the purpose of this plight and flight. In so doing, they went everywhere telling the bad news of their persecution and the good news of salvation in Christ" (Reese, New Testament History: Acts, 317).

These early Christians preached the word in spite of losing loved ones and friends. These early Christians were sometimes isolated and alone, but they still preached the gospel. These early Christians were forced to leave home and hearth behind, but they still preached the word. They faced enemies. If they preached the word in the midst of their circumstances, can't we preached the word in the midst of our circumstances?

(Selected)

A Wisconsin paper carried the following story. A preacher who did not believe in immersion as the proper form of baptism was conducting a meeting, and one night preached on the subject of baptism. In the course of his remarks he said that some believed it necessary to go down into the water, and come up out of it, to be baptized. But this he claimed to be a fallacy, for the preposition "into" of the scripture should be rendered differently, as it does not mean "into" at all.

Illustrating his point, the preacher said, "Moses went up into the mountain. Now, we do not suppose that he went "into" it, but "unto" it. So with going down into the water, it simply means going down close by or near to the water and being baptized in the ordinary way by sprinkling or pouring." He carried out his idea fully, and in due season closed his discourse. Then an invitation was given anyone so disposed to rise and express his thoughts. The preacher's brethren expressed appreciation for the service, and said they felt their souls had been blessed. Finally a stranger, a Dutchman, arose and broke the silence, saying:

"Mr. Breecher, I ish so glad i vash here tonite, for I has had exblained to my mint some dings dat I never cold pelieve pefore. I ish so glad dat "into" don mean into at all, but shust clost by or near to, for now I can pelieve many dings vot I could not pelieve pefore. We reat, Mr. Breecher, dat Taniel vas cast into de ten of lions, and alife. Now I neffer could pelief dat, for day would have eat Taniel right off, but now it is all clear in my mint. He vash shust clost by or near to the lions ten, and tid not get into de ten at all. Again we reat dat de Hebrew children vash cast into de firish furnace, and dot alvays look like beeg story, for dey vould have purnt up: but it is blain to my mint now, for dey vash shust cast by or close to de firish furnace. Den, it is said dat Jonah vash cast into de sea and taken into de walesh pelly. Now I neffer could pelief dat. It seem alvays a beeg feesh story to me, but it is all blain to my mint now. He vash not in the pelly of whale at all, but shust shumpt onto his back and rode ashore.

And now, Mr. Breecher, if you will shust exblain two more scriptures I will be oh so happy dat I vash here tonite. One of de ish where it saish de vicked shall be cast into a lake dat burns mit fire and primstone. Mr. Breecher, shall I be cast into dat lake if I am vicked, or shust clost by or near to, shust near enuff to be comfortable? De oter passage is dat vich saish blessed are dey who do dese commandments dat dey may have right to de tree of life, and enter into de gates into de city. Now shall I shust be by or near enough to see vat I have lost? Tell me, Mr. Breecher, does "into" mean "into" or shust close by?"

(Selected)

Something is wrong, bad wrong, when we can't have all the members of the church and their children in attendance for Bible study. Yes, something is wrong when members refuse to attend the Bible classes.

1. If a person is too sick to go, something is wrong with his HEALTH. He should consult a doctor.

2. If he thinks he does not need the help that comes from the Bible study, something is wrong with his EDUCATION. He does not know what he needs the most.

3. If he sleeps too late, he is too LAZY. He needs to study (Proverbs 6:6-11)

4. If he doesn't have the interest to go, something is dangerously wrong with his ATTITUDE. Indifference is a cause of people being lost.

5. If he is too busy to go, something is wrong with his SCHEDULE. The person who is too busy to serve the Lord is too busy to go to heaven.

6. If he lets company keep him away, something is wrong with his COURAGE. He should have the courage to serve the Lord even if the company is missed or offended.

7. If his clothes are not good enough to go, something is wrong with his PRIDE. This excuse is over exalted, for the persons who use it usually can go anywhere else in the same dress, but refuse to wear those same clothes to Bible study or worship.

Just why should not every Christian want to be in Bible study every time it meets? And why shouldn't we want our children and friends to be there? If we don't something is wrong. Better begin to check up on yourself and see what the trouble is before it is too late.

SEVEN DAYS

WITHOUT PRAYER

MAKES ONE WEAK