Unlikely Leaders

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The Gospel Reaches Samaria and Ethiopia

This chapter is based on Acts 8.

After the death of Stephen a relentless persecution arose against the believers in Jerusalem. “They were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Saul “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” Later he said about this cruel work: “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ... I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, ... by punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to make them blaspheme.” “I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death.” (Acts 26:9-11, NRSV.) ULe 39.1

At this time of danger Nicodemus came forward and fearlessly declared his faith in the Savior. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin. As he had witnessed Christ’s wonderful works, the conviction had fastened on his mind that this was the One sent by God. Too proud to acknowledge his sympathy with the Galilean Teacher openly, he had gone to Jesus for a secret interview. Jesus unfolded to him His mission to the world, yet Nicodemus had still hesitated. For three years there was little apparent fruit. But in the Sanhedrin council he had repeatedly defeated schemes to destroy Christ. When Christ had finally been lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus remembered the words spoken to him in the night interview. “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. ULe 39.2

With Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus had borne the expense of Jesus’ burial. The disciples had been afraid to show themselves openly as Christ’s followers, but Nicodemus and Joseph, rich and honored men, had come boldly to do for their dead Master what the poor disciples would have found impossible to do. Their wealth and influence had protected them, to a great extent, from the evil intentions of the priests and rulers. ULe 39.3