Something struck me this morning while reading in Acts 7-9 that I have not thought of before. God used Paul to advance the gospel while he was still Saul and persecuting the church. In Acts 7, during the story of the stoning of Steven, Luke writes, “And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (v. 57b ESV).”
And then in chapter 8, “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 (v. 1 ESV).” The persecution, led by Saul, against the church in Jerusalem resulted in the scattering of the followers of Christ into the surrounding areas of Judea and Samaria. Luke then tells us what they did as they went, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the Word (v. 8:4 ESV).” So, before Paul spearheaded the advancement of the gospel into many areas of the world through his missionary actions, the gospel began to spread as a direct result of his actions as one who persecuted the church. It amazes me to find connections like this one and see how the sovereign hand of God used people directly and indirectly to make sure that the gospel went to all people. How, in your own life, is God using you to directly or indirectly impact the advancement of the gospel?