Chapter 11—The Gospel in Samaria
This chapter is based on
Acts 8
.
After the death of Stephen there arose against the believers in
Jerusalem a persecution so relentless that “they were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Saul “made
havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and
women committed them to prison.” Of his zeal in this cruel work he
said at a later date: “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do
many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I
also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison....
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to
blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities.” That Stephen was not the only one who
suffered death may be seen from Saul’s own words, “And when they
were put to death, I gave my voice against them.”
Acts 26:9-11
.
[104]
At this time of peril Nicodemus came forward in fearless avowal
of his faith in the crucified Saviour. Nicodemus was a member of
the Sanhedrin and with others had been stirred by the teaching of
Jesus. As he had witnessed Christ’s wonderful works, the conviction
had fastened itself upon his mind that this was the Sent of God. Too
proud openly to acknowledge himself in sympathy with the Galilean
Teacher, he had sought a secret interview. In this interview Jesus had
unfolded to him the plan of salvation and His mission to the world,
yet still Nicodemus had hesitated. He hid the truth in his heart, and for
three years there was little apparent fruit. But while Nicodemus had
not publicly acknowledged Christ, he had in the Sanhedrin council
repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the priests to destroy Him. When
at last Christ had been lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus remembered
the words that He had spoken to him in the night interview on the
Mount of Olives, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (
John 3:14
); and he saw in
Jesus the world’s Redeemer.
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