In this chapter we see that Christians are systematically persecuted, especially in Jerusalem. This is expected. Jesus told his disciples that they too would be persecuted (John 15:18-21). But this will not stop the gospel or his church.
This passage teaches us how persecution of the church is not outside of God’s will and should not alarm us. Difficult situations are opportunities to be faithful to the Lord and to share (be His witnesses) the gospel with others. The Lord’s church will never be destroyed no matter what man does and/or Satan does against it. In addition, this passage teaches us about how the gospel when received and believed brings joy to people. But there is also danger because there are people who claim to believe, but they are not true Christians. They seek their own interests and power to do God’s work. God will always reveal what does not come from Him and He will do so through the leaders He has placed in the church to shepherd it in the way of His Truth. We must learn from what happened in the church in the first century to avoid straying from its truth and to avoid spiritual failure as a church.
