Do you know the true origin and calling of the Church of Christ? As a believer, it is essential to understand the journey of our faith, because the same pattern continues to shape our mission today.
The gospel that began in Jerusalem (Israel) eventually reached you and me. This was not by chance. It was carried through persecution, suffering, migration, and faithful witness. Understanding this helps us see that the gospel is meant to spread to every nation, every generation, and every place on earth—until all have heard.
In the early days, the church gathered as one in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42–47). But when persecution arose, their gathering was broken apart. Saints were imprisoned, beaten, and even killed for their faith—Stephen being the first martyr (Acts 7:54–60). This forced many believers to flee Israel and scatter across surrounding nations.
Acts 8:1, 4 (ESV):“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… Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
Notice this: scattering did not silence them. Instead, the gospel spread even faster. What looked like tragedy became a divine strategy. The blood of martyrs became the seed of the Church.
When believers scattered, they carried Christ with them. They did not wait for apostles, pulpits, or church buildings. Every believer became a witness (Acts 1:8). Wherever they went—villages, towns, or foreign nations—they declared the risen Christ.
Jesus Himself had foretold this:
Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV):“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The scattering was not the church’s downfall but its expansion. What the enemy meant for harm, God turned into victory.
Even the apostles recognized that the church was no longer confined to Jerusalem. Peter addressed his letters to believers living as “exiles” across foreign lands:
1 Peter 1:1 (ESV):“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…”
The Greek word diaspora (dispersion) emphasizes that believers were spread out like seeds across the world. But seeds scattered are not wasted—they are planted for a greater harvest.
The gospel is not limited to one place, one culture, or one people. God’s presence fills the earth (Psalm 139:7–10). Wherever His people go, the Church goes.
Paul reminds us:
2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV):“…the word of God is not bound!”
Your workplace, school, or even a foreign land is not a barrier—it is an opportunity. Just as the early believers preached Christ in their new environments, so should we today.
People still move from place to place—for jobs, studies, family, or even because of war and displacement. The question is: Do you carry Christ with you into those new spaces? Do you witness boldly, or do you fall silent?
The early church did not allow new environments to silence their faith. Neither should we. For Jesus commanded:
Acts 1:8 (NIV):“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This mission still stands. The scattering of the church—whether voluntary or forced—is part of God’s plan to fill the whole earth with His glory (Habakkuk 2:14).
Wherever you go, know this: the Spirit of God goes with you. The environment is not your limitation, it is your field. Every conversation, every relationship, every place you find yourself is a chance to shine the light of Christ.
So do not say, “I can’t witness here—it was easier back home.” That is not from God. Instead, pray for wisdom, boldness, and the right words. God will give you the grace to testify, just as He empowered the early church.
Shalom.Share this message of hope with others, that the scattered church may still be a preaching church.
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