在使徒行傳7章59節開始的短短10節經文中，發生了非比尋常的事。從司提反被石頭打死，接著其他基督徒四散逃逸，在各處傳講福音，再到這奇妙的結果：「在那城裡，就大有歡喜」（8章8節）。這就是迫害帶來的反轉。

保加利亞牧師里斯托．科利契夫（Hristo Kulichev）也經歷過從迫害中帶來的祝福。在1980年代，他因傳道而被捕入獄。在監獄裡，他繼續公開傳講福音。八個月後，當他被釋放時，他說：「我們在監獄傳福音比在教會更有成果，我們在監獄裡比在外面自由時能更好地事奉上帝。」

這種從遭迫害到大喜樂的轉變，猶如初代教會的景況。那時眾信徒「遭到極大的迫害」，「那些逃往各地的信徒逃到哪裡，就將福音傳到哪裡」（8章1、4節，當代譯本修訂版）。結果，在撒馬利亞的一個城中「大有歡喜」（8節）。

當我們面對世上反對聖經真理與教導的權勢時，尤其是人們拒絕福音的時候，我們不可輕言放棄。當教會面對這樣的困難時，上帝會以強而有力的方式行奇妙的事。

使徒彼得說，遇到火煉的試驗，「不要以為奇怪」（彼得前書4章12節）。在這種情況中，你們「是有福的；因為上帝榮耀的靈常住在你們身上」（14節）。上帝有能力將迫害轉變成美好的事。

Something unusual happens in ten short verses starting with Acts 7:59. The story turns quickly from Stephen’s horrific death by stoning to other believers in Christ being scattered and “preach[ing] the word,” leading to these amazing words: “There was great joy in that city” (8:8).

That’s the paradox of persecution.

European pastor Hristo Kulichev experienced the miracle of good coming from evil. In the 1980s, he was arrested for preaching and thrown in prison. While there, he spoke openly about the gospel of Jesus. Upon his release eight months later, he said, “We had a more fruitful ministry there than we could have expected in church. God was better served by our presence in prison than if we had been free.”

From persecution to great joy—just like in the early church. When “great persecution broke out” (Acts 8:1), “those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (v. 4). As a result, there was “great joy” in a city in Samaria (v. 8).

When forces in our world stand against the truths and teachings of Scripture—especially the gospel—that’s not the time to give up. God moves in powerful ways when the church faces such difficulties.

Peter said, “Do not be surprised” at such fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12). In such cases you’re “blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (v. 14). God has the power to turn persecution into something precious.