Courageous People - How the Scattered Church Spread the Message of Jesus

The early church was marked by extraordinary courage. The book of Acts tells the story of a praying, Spirit-clothed people who, despite opposition, fearlessly carried forward the message of Jesus. As we continue to explore their journey, we recognize that courage is not just for the heroes of Scripture but for all who follow Jesus today.

Called to Know, Follow, and Offer Jesus

Jesus made it clear that all who desire to be His disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This calling requires courage. It demands that we not only know Christ but also follow Him in obedience and offer His message to the world. True discipleship is not passive; it is an active, daily commitment to stand firm in faith, even when it costs us dearly.

The Virtue of Courage and Perseverance

Courage is more than just bravery in the face of danger—it is a virtue foundational to the Christian life. In classical philosophy, courage (or fortitude) is one of the four cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. These virtues serve as the moral hinges upon which all others depend. Fortitude, in particular, is the ability to endure hardship and remain steadfast in the face of trials.

The Bible repeatedly exhorts God’s people to be courageous. In Joshua 1:9, the Lord commands, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 2 Timothy 4:7, describing his perseverance in faith despite hardships. The courage of the early church was not merely human resilience—it was a supernatural grace that enabled them to stand firm even in the face of death.

The Cost of Courage: Stephen’s Martyrdom

One of the most powerful examples of courage in the early church is the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the truth of Jesus before his threatening contemporaries. Their rage led to his brutal execution, yet even in death, Stephen demonstrated Christlike love, praying for his persecutors as Jesus did on the cross.

John Stott aptly noted that Acts and Revelation should be read side by side, for the old battle between the dragon and the Lamb rages on. Stephen’s story reminds us that confessing Christ may bring opposition, but Jesus Himself stands as our advocate (Matthew 10:32-33).

Today, the global Church still faces terrible persecution. As you read this, Christians are suffering in N Korea, China, India, Nigeria, and many Muslim-dominated lands. In the West, a different kind of assault is underway. Here, we face the temptation to yield to cultural accommodation with materialism and comfort. We face formidable ideological opposition and subversion through the subtle seduction of idols of control and power. While physical martyrdom is rare in the West, the call to stand courageously remains urgent.

Scattered Yet Strong: The Spread of the Gospel

Following Stephen’s death, a great persecution broke out, scattering the early Christians (Acts 8:1-4). Yet what seemed like a crisis became an opportunity. Those who were scattered carried the gospel with them, turning tragedy into triumph. The word translated as preached in verse 4 is better understood as shared the gospel. This was not formal preaching from pulpits but everyday believers sharing Jesus in their new communities.

Saul (later Paul) led the persecution, wreaking havoc on the church, tearing families apart, and imprisoning believers. Yet, in divine irony, Satan’s attempt to crush the church only fueled its expansion. As the African Church Father Tertullian famously observed, “The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church.” The fierce wind of opposition only spread the fire of Pentecost.

This passage challenges us: Are we a gathered people only, or are we also a scattered people? The true mark of a great church is not its seating capacity but its sending capacity. We must be willing to take Jesus into the public sphere, not just within the safety of church walls.

The Steadfastness of Paul: Courage to Finish the Race

Years later, the Apostle Paul demonstrated this same courage. In Acts 20:22-25, Paul declared that he was bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, knowing that imprisonment and hardships awaited him. Yet he pressed forward, committed to finishing his race with joy.

Paul’s courage did not come from mere human willpower. His focus was fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). This is where true strength is found—not in ourselves but in Christ. Like Stephen, Paul saw beyond his suffering to the greater glory of God’s mission. His example compels us to ask: Are we willing to count our lives as nothing for the sake of the gospel?

Living Courageously Today

The call to courage is as relevant now as it was in the early church. In our world, following Jesus often means standing against cultural tides that promote consumerism, hedonism, ethno-nationalism, and radical individualism. Francis Schaeffer rightly warned that the greatest threat to the Church in the West today was the pursuit of personal peace and affluence. It also means holding firm to biblical truth in an age of moral confusion. It means confessing Christ openly, forgiving those who oppose us, and viewing our lives as a sacrifice for His purpose.

C.S. Lewis, in The Abolition of Man, lamented that modern society has removed the moral foundation (the chest) that links intellect and desire, leaving people without the ability to exercise true virtue. His words ring true today: “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.” Without courage, faith becomes passive. Without fortitude, conviction crumbles under pressure.

Where does such strength come from? Not from within ourselves but from Jesus. Stephen’s final vision must be ours: we fix our eyes on Christ.

Moving Forward with Courage

Courageous faith is not optional for disciples of Jesus. The early church thrived not because they avoided hardship but because they embraced it for the sake of the gospel. Stephen stood firm even unto death. The scattered believers turned persecution into a gospel opportunity. Paul pressed on, knowing the cost but valuing Christ above all.

Today, we are called to the same courage—to confess Christ boldly, to endure opposition with grace, and to live lives of sacrificial obedience. May we, like those who have gone before us, fix our eyes on Jesus and press forward with unwavering faith. For the battle still rages, but the victory belongs to the Lamb.