Providential Scattering: How God Uses His People to Spread His Word

Dead Ends to Doorways: Providential Scattering

WARM-UP

What was the strangest place you’ve visited? What made it different from other places?

Share a time when someone helped you out recently. How did you respond?

Have you experienced a recent challenge lately? How did you overcome it?

WORD

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke

The Lord appointed seventy-two others—Which seems to intimate that he had appointed seventy-two before this time, though, probably, the word other has a reference to the twelve chosen first: he not only chose twelve disciples to be constantly with him; but he chose seventy-two others to go before him. Our blessed Lord formed every thing in his church on the model of the Jewish church; and why? Because it was the pattern shown by God himself, the divine form, which pointed out the heavenly substance which now began to be established in its place. As he before had chosen twelve apostles, in reference to the twelve patriarchs, who were the chiefs of the twelve tribes, and the heads of the Jewish church, he now publicly appointed (for so the word ανεδειξεν means) seventy others, as Moses did the seventy elders whom he associated with himself to assist him in the government of the people (Exo 18:19; 24:1-9). These Christ sent by two by two:

1. To teach them the necessity of concord among the ministers of righteousness.

2. That in the mouths of two witnesses every thing might be established. And,

3. That they might comfort and support each other in their difficult labor. See on Mar 6:7 (note).

Sometimes the Jews chose six out of each tribe: this was the number of the great council. The names of these seventy-two disciples are found in the margin of some ancient MSS., but this authority is questionable.

God calls ordinary people (Designed for Relationships: Fish for Men)

The twelve disciples and the seventy-two Jesus sent out were ordinary people. They did not have great credentials or religious superiority. In fact, the seventy-two remained unnamed in the Bible. Yet, still, Jesus called them to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons. This is a relief. We don’t need to be extraordinary to follow God. We ordinary people are called to pray for others, preach the gospel, and serve God in community. How do you think the seventy-two felt as they went to different places two by two?

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ACT 13:2-4

2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. LUK 10:1-2

Fish for Men (Designed for Relationships)

Following Jesus is not easy because it takes everything we have, because we don’t follow him alone, and because it should not stop with us. Jesus sent his disciples to proclaim the good news of the kingdom to anyone willing to listen. The world was never the same because of this, and today the task remains to be fulfilled by the church. While we are called to love our church community or people of the same faith, we are also designed to build relationships with those who have yet to encounter Jesus. Today, we will look at who God calls, what he calls us to, and what he promises as we follow him and fish for men.

(Read also ACT 8:1-8).

Jesus sent his seventy-two disciples ahead of him, to villages he had not yet gone to. He sent them out anticipating a plentiful harvest. At the same time, he focused on the need for more workers to preach the gospel and gather in the harvest. As we obey Jesus’ command to go, we will encounter many obstacles. But these are not dead ends. Rather, they can become doorways for the gospel to further advance into all the world. Today, we will talk about how every place that God places us in is an opportunity to preach the gospel, regardless of our situation.

1 Preach the gospel in spite of persecution.

1 And Saul approved of his 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. . . .

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. ACT 8:1, 4

Because they were treated with hostility for following Jesus, even to the point of losing their lives, the disciples scattered across various regions. Any person or family who has gone through a similar change in environment must have been challenged or terrified. However, the disciples chose to preach the gospel in spite of persecution. Have you experienced preaching the gospel despite challenging situations? Tell us about it.

John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

And Saul approved of his execution—This clause, in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic and Ethiopic versions, stands at the close of the preceding chapter, and which seems to be its proper place; and so it does in the Alexandrian copy: that Saul consented to the execution of Stephen, and approved of that barbarous action, is evident from his taking care of the clothes of the witnesses that stoned him; but the word here used signifies not a bare consent only, but a consent with pleasure and delight; he was well pleased with it, it rejoiced his very heart; he joined with others in it, with the utmost pleasure and satisfaction; this, and what is before said concerning his having the clothes of the witnesses laid at his feet, as well as what follows, about his persecuting the saints, are, the rather mentioned, because this violent persecutor was afterwards converted, and became an eminent preacher of the gospel; and these accounts serve to set off and illustrate the grace of God, which was abundant towards him.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem—It began “on that day,” as the words may be rendered, on which Stephen was stoned. As soon as they had put him to death, these bloodthirsty wretches were the more greedy after the blood of others; and being now in great numbers, and filled with rage and fury, fell upon the members of the church wherever they met them, and killed them; for that more, besides Stephen, were put to death, seems plain from Act 26:10 and, according to some accounts, though they cannot be depended on, two thousand persons suffered on this time: and if this was the case, it might be called a great persecution.

And they were all scattered—Not all the members of the church, nor perhaps any of the private ones; for we afterwards read of devout then that carried Stephen to his grave; and of the church being made havoc of by Saul; and of men and women being haled out of their houses, and committed to prison by him; but all the preachers of the word, except the apostles; for they that were scattered, went about preaching the word, Act 8:4; 11:19. They seem to be the seventy disciples, and other ministers of the word, on whom the Holy Spirit fell at the day of Pentecost, or was since bestowed; among who were Philip, who went to Samaria; and Ananias, who was at Damascus; and others that went as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch: and particularly they are said to be dispersed.

Throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria—Where their ministry was so greatly blessed, to the conversion of souls, that there were quickly many churches planted and formed in these parts, as appears from Act 9:31 so that this persecution was for the furtherance and spread of the gospel: that upon this dispersion any of them came into France and England, or into any other parts of Europe, is not probable; since the particular places they went to are mentioned; and since they preached to Jew only: and this scattering by reason of the persecution, was of all the preachers.

Except the apostles—The twelve apostles, who stayed at Jerusalem to take care of the church; to encourage the members of it to suffer cheerfully for the sake of Christ and his gospel; and to animate them to abide by him: and this was not only an instance of courage and constancy in them, and of the divine protection and preservation of them, in the midst of their enemies; but also of the timidity of their adversaries, who might be afraid to meddle with them; remembering what miraculous works were performed by them, and how they had been delivered out of prison, and especially the case of Ananias and Sapphira, who were struck dead by Peter. Beza’s ancient copy adds, “who remained in Jerusalem.”

2 Preach the gospel wherever you are.

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. ACT 8:4-6

Traditionally, Samaria and Samaritans were treated differently by Jews because of their cultural differences (see Luk 9:51-56; Joh 4:4-9). Because of this, they were distrustful of anything Jesus or his followers had to say. However, when Philip obeyed Jesus and preached the gospel even where he had fled, they paid attention to him. What are some communities or friend groups you are a part of right now?

John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Philip went down to the city of Samaria—The city which was formerly called Samaria, but now Sebaste; it had been destroyed by Hyrcanus, and was rebuilt by Herod; and called by him, in honour of Augustus, by the name of Sebaste; and so R. Benjamin says, that

“from Luz he came in a day to Sebaste, ‘this is Samaria’, where yet may be discerned the palace of Ahab king of Israel—and from thence are two ‘parsas’ to Neapolis, this is Sichem.”

Which last place, Sichem, is by Josephus said to be the “metropolis” of Samaria; and is thought by Dr. Lightfoot to be the city Philip went to, and where our Lord had before been, and preached to the conversion of many persons: this place lay lower than Jerusalem, and therefore Philip is said to go down to it; and who was not Philip the apostle, but Philip the deacon, for the apostles stayed at Jerusalem; and beside, though this Philip preached the gospel, and baptized, and wrought miracles, yet did not lay on hands, in order that persons might receive the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit; this was peculiar to the apostles, and therefore Peter and John came down for this purpose, when they heard of the success of Philip’s ministry.

And proclaimed to them the Christ—That Christ was come in the flesh, that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, and that he was the Son of God, and the alone Saviour of men; who by his obedience, sufferings, and death, had wrought righteousness, procured peace and pardon, and obtained eternal redemption for his people; and was risen again, and ascended into heaven, and was set down at the right hand of God, where he ever lived to make intercession, and would come again a second time to judge both quick and dead.

3 Preach the gospel with God’s power.

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. ACT 8:6-8

By the power of God, many unclean spirits left and many who were sick were healed as Philip preached the gospel. In the same way, God shows his love and power as we preach to others. As we obey him, joy comes to those who hear his word and experience his power. Identify some opportunities to preach the gospel in your life. Which communities can you reach out to?

When we understand that God’s sovereignty brings us to places we never knew we would go, we can begin to see that his command to preach the gospel is constant. More than this, we see how he goes before us and demonstrates his power as we obey. When we preach the gospel, we will see more cities experience joy and more individuals believe in Christ and publicly express it.

APPLICATION

Is there anything causing you to hesitate in preaching the gospel? What is one way you can address your hesitation this week?

Knowing that God’s presence and power is with us, how should our attitude be as we preach the gospel to those around us?

Is there a person or a community you have been praying to preach the gospel to? How can you start the conversation with them this week?

PRAYER

Thank Jesus for his salvation and the good news that we are now a part of his family. Thank him for the person and the community who led you to Christ.

Pray that you will continue to grow in the boldness to preach the gospel to your family, your friends, and your community.

Ask God to go before you and open the ears and hearts of those you will preach the gospel to, believing that he will demonstrate his power as you obey.