Now Nicodemus came forward to defend the infant church. He encouraged the faith of the disciples and used his wealth to help sustain the church at Jerusalem and advance the work. Those who had treated him with reverence now scorned him, and he became poor, yet he never wavered in defending his faith. 4TC 54.3
The persecution gave a great push to the work of the gospel. The ministry in Jerusalem had been successful, and there was danger that the disciples would linger there too long, forgetting the Savior’s instruction to go to all the world. Instead of educating new converts to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of taking a course that would lead the believers to be satisfied with what they had already accomplished. God permitted persecution to come to scatter His representatives where they could work for oth ers. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers “went everywhere preaching the word.” 4TC 54.4
When persecution scattered them, they went out filled with missionary zeal. They knew they held in their hands the bread of life for a starving world, and the love of Christ impelled them to break this bread to all who were in need. Wherever they went, they healed the sick and preached the gospel to the poor. 4TC 55.1
Philip, one of the seven deacons, was among those driven from Jerusalem. He “went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. ... There was great joy in that city.” 4TC 55.2
Christ’s message to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well had borne fruit. The woman had gone to the men of the city, saying, “Could this be the Christ?” They went with her, heard Jesus, and believed on Him. For two days Jesus stayed with them, “and many more believed because of His own word.” (John 4:29, 41.) 4TC 55.3
When His disciples were driven from Jerusalem, the Samaritans welcomed them, and the Jewish converts gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies. 4TC 55.4
While Philip was in Samaria, a heavenly messenger directed him to “‘go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ ... So he arose and went.” He did not hesitate to obey, because he had learned the lesson of conforming to God’s will. 4TC 55.5