Satanic Strategy (3) - Reaching Out

Reaching Out
SATANIC STRATEGY (3)

Section II: A Persecutor

Divide and Destroy (6:1-8)
Satan's fourth assault was made, like the second, from within the church. The increase in numbers brought problems and dangers. The Grecian Jews, speaking the Greek language, reading the Greek scriptures, and more or less affecting Greek customs, carried their ideals and predilections with them, on conversion, into the church. They were the tolerant and progressive party. On the other hand, the Hebrew people seemed more rigid and conservative, despising all things foreign and proud of their exclusive customs.

It was inevitable that friction should arise, and in this the persecutor found his special opportunity. He resolved to “divide” and “conquer.” He stirred up jealousy and party spirit. The apostles were accused by the Greeks of partiality. There arose the danger of a fearful rupture. Satan knows full well that a divided church is stripped of its evangelistic strength.

However, this attack was met with great wisdom. The apostles showed true self-abnegation. They recognized in the attack a peculiar opportunity for promoting the efficiency of the work. The whole church followed the example of their patience and forbearance. The sound of murmuring died away, and the spirit of love and unity prevailed.

One of Satan’s choicest devices is to divide God’s people. We see it in the church at home and there are numerous examples of it in missionary work abroad.

Nevertheless, God’s will was particularly conspicuous on this occasion. Unity, far from being destroyed, was cemented. The missionary work of the church was strengthened and advanced. The number of Christians multiplied exceedingly – a great company of the priestly class was converted. Stephen and Philip, among others, were raised up as pioneers. Once more Satan failed. The flag of progress still led the soldiers of Christ.

The Fatal Mistake (7:54-60)
As the history proceeds, the battle waxes hotter and fiercer. Satan is seen delivering his fifth and most cruel stroke, this time again from outside the camp. But it proved to be his fatal mistake! Stephen had proved himself a champion of the cross. He was a missionary endued with more than the ordinary. His arguments were irresistible. He was more than a match for the representatives of three continents. His very face reflected his Master’s glory. When placed on the defense, his words shattered the idol of Jewish exclusiveness. His opponents became mad with rage. They rushed upon him like infuriated beasts, and, outside the city, stoned him to death. Thus Satan sought to silence the brave voice which continued to testify and pray while breath remained. But, here again, Satan failed. Stephen, being dead, yet speaketh. “We are not ignorant of his devices.” Again and again he has wielded the ruthless sword of martyrdom. But still as we read the story of Acts, God’s power works on.

An artist painted a picture entitled “Rest” – a wild, surging cataract, over it the hanging branches of a tree upon which a robin was setting on its nest. Such is the peace of those who trust in God.

The Master rose and stood to help His faithful martyr. He filled his vision with heavenly glory and his heart with perfect peace. His martyrdom proved only the signal for fresh advance (8:1-4). It led to the evangelization of all Judea and Samaria (to the founding of the church at Antioch) and to a world-wide propagation of the gospel. The law of missionary work has always been to increase through suffering.

Opposition must be expected, ridicule, secret and open attacks by the great persecutor, hours of discouragement, weary labors, failure of friends, appeals to fear. It seems strange that these should be allowed to stand between us and a holy life and heaven, but they are stairways to heaven: they are hills of difficulty, from whose top may be seen the Promised Land. They are battlefields where faith and courage may grow and victory be won; they are fields in which virtues may be grown, and on which may rest God’s benediction, “Well done, good and faithful, enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Truly the Lord can turn the Valley of Achor (trouble) into a door of hope (Hosea 2:14-15).