I must admit that I cannot help but see the humour every time I read about the situation. 

Let me clarify that I am not laughing about the fact that Christians were being persecuted, that thousands of followers of Jesus were forced to hurriedly pack the belongings that they could carry, and then join the growing flood of refugees fleeing from first century SISIS—Saul’s Interrogation Service in Israel and Syria—a Jewish terrorist organisation that was being single-handedly led by the young, fire-breathing disciple of Gamaliel.

 What I find ironic is the people who stayed in Jerusalem.  The Bible says that “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.”  The irony is buried inside the meaning of the word “apostle”.  You see, the word “apostle” actually means “the one who has been sent”.  So there you have it:  the ones who have been sent are the ones who stayed.  A bit of an oxymoron, don’t you think?

 You have to feel a bit sorry for these apostles, because they had just appointed seven deacons to do all the hands-on work, and then Stephen was been murdered and Philip fled to Samaria.  Who would mow the lawns each week or set out the chairs in the Upper Room each Sabbath?  From a mega-church of 5,000 plus it was now back down again to the core team of twelve guys setting up the PA system for their Sabbath worship service.

 Enough commiserating with the apostles, though.  Let’s go and interview some of those refugees.  The funny thing is, though, that these refugees are not just looking forlornly out from inside their tents into the cameras of the Jerusalem Morning Herald photo journalists.  They are out there preaching about Jesus!  Ordinary disciples of Jesus on the run, still making other disciples.  Is being a refugee included in that directive “Go therefore and make disciples”?  They certainly thought so.

 One particular person really took it to heart.  Philip thought saw a new opportunity to talk about Jesus, and boom!  It was like Pentecost all over again!  The people were of one accord, signs and wonders were happening, there was an overwhelming sense of joy and the Holy Spirit was poured out.  Do you want to be part of the Pentecost experience here in Greater Sydney?  If the Holy Spirit can replicate Pentecost in Samaria, then I know that He can do it here in Greater Sydney as well!

 Since He knows what is going on in people’s hearts and minds, the Holy Spirit knows who is open to His message and leading.  That’s why He allowed the persecution to occur.  The Jewish leaders had closed their hearts to the gospel for the time being, but the Samaritans were open.  It was time to move disciples to where people are responding.  The apostles were comfortable and wanted to stay in Jerusalem, but Philip had the capacity for effective evangelism in Samaria.  It was time to call Philip from being a deacon to also being an evangelist and disciple-maker.  The Pharisee Saul’s heart was hardened towards Jesus, but the heart of the Federal Treasurer of Ethiopia was open.  It was time to send an angel to re-program Philip’s GPS, and when the first insider missionary to Ethiopians has been baptised, to whisk Philip away to preach the gospel all the way to Caesarea.

 Before you think that Philip was some super-evangelist, remember he was just a deacon!  Imagine the person who operates your PA system running incredibly powerful and successful evangelistic programs in Auburn and Bankstown, where thousands of people are baptised.  That’s what happens when you are willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey His voice.

 “The unselfish labor of Christians in the past should be to us an object lesson and an inspiration. The members of God’s church are to be zealous of good works, separating from worldly ambition and walking in the footsteps of Him who went about doing good. With hearts filled with sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in need of help, bringing to sinners a knowledge of the Saviour’s love. Such work calls for laborious effort, but it brings a rich reward. Those who engage in it with sincerity of purpose will see souls won to the Saviour, for the influence that attends the practical carrying out of the divine commission is irresistible.” AA pp109,110.

 Much joy and a rich reward—that’s what the Holy Spirit has in store for us and everyone who will join His movement of gospel refugees.

 The book of Acts is drenched with the Holy Spirit.  Reading it is like taking time to play out in the tropical rain!  Read the full stories for today in:

Acts 8 NIV
Acts of the Apostles “The Gospel in Samaria”

 Invite your friends to join this journey with you!  You can follow this journey on Facebook too.