1. The History of Jerusalem and the Early Church
Jerusalem appears as a city of great significance throughout the Bible. From the Old Testament era, it was the capital of King David’s kingdom, the place where King Solomon built the temple, and a stage that bore both the glory and decline of various kings. Understanding this background is essential for properly interpreting the series of events recorded in the Book of Acts. In Acts, Jerusalem is referred to as the “holy city” and served as the central hub of the early church. After Jesus was resurrected and ascended, He instructed the disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). This scene clearly shows that Jerusalem was the starting point of history and the launching pad from which the gospel would spread to the ends of the earth. Gathered in Jerusalem, the disciples prayed together, received the power of the Holy Spirit, and, using that city as their base, began to proclaim the gospel. As they did so, they witnessed an unprecedented revival, with 3,000 and then 5,000 people coming to faith.
Yet the early church did not simply settle comfortably within the official religious system centered on the Jerusalem temple. In truth, Jerusalem was also home to the religious leaders who had crucified Christ and became the power center for harsh persecution of the Christian faith. Early Christians were expelled from temple-centered worship and had to shift to house churches—worship held in private homes. The Upper Room of Mark’s house is a prime example of this. Rather than gathering in a splendid, grand building, they consecrated private spaces, such as homes, for worship and prayer. This historical background clearly testifies that the church is not a building but rather an assembly of believers in the Holy Spirit, with Jesus Christ as the head.
As persecution intensified against the Jerusalem church, Acts 8:1 states, “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” The martyrdom of Stephen accelerated this persecution. Stephen, the first martyr of the early church, prayed for the forgiveness of those who stoned him, demonstrating Christ-like love and boldness. Although Stephen’s death brought deep sorrow and shock to the church community, it also served as a decisive moment for the gospel to break out from one location and spread more widely through this “scattering.” This paradoxical history—in which “persecution” gives rise to new revival—highlights the providence and power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes this particular aspect of the history of the Jerusalem church. He summarizes the key traits of the Jerusalem church as the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of the gospel, and growth through sacrifice and martyrdom.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is a command with clear stages and order: the gospel is to be proclaimed first in Jerusalem, then spread to Judea and Samaria, and finally reach the ends of the earth—that is, to all nations. However, as long as the Christians continued gathering in Jerusalem, the “Great Commission” was not being fulfilled. Thus, God ultimately allowed an external factor—“persecution”—to scatter the believers who had stayed safely within Jerusalem. Hence the saying, “God can use even persecution as a means of expanding the gospel,” a crucial theme that appears throughout Pastor David Jang’s message.
When the Jerusalem church grew, its numbers exploded to 3,000 and 5,000 new believers, demonstrating the powerful impact of the gospel. Yet most of them wanted to remain in Jerusalem, enjoying that grace within their own community rather than actively moving into Judea and Samaria. Even though the Lord commanded them to “go,” the early church believers might have preferred staying in Jerusalem, which was essentially their home. Eventually, God scattered the believers through Stephen’s martyrdom and the subsequent persecution. This is precisely the scene we encounter in Acts 8. In this unexpected manner, the “scattered church” became the “outgoing church.” When the church failed to move out at the appointed time, the Lord often used surprising methods to scatter them, revealing the unstoppable passion and dynamism of the Holy Spirit intent on spreading the gospel worldwide.
Those who were scattered due to persecution continued preaching the gospel wherever they went. It was not merely an act of fleeing; Acts 8:4 states, “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Even while escaping persecution, they did not cease sharing the good news. Being scattered did not cause their faith to cool; instead, new revivals sprang up in the places to which they fled. The practice of worshiping in people’s homes—which came to be known as “house churches”—was passed down through centuries, including in underground churches or in persecuted regions. History shows that the church is never confined to a building; even without physical structures, the gathering of believers in the Holy Spirit constitutes the true church. Pastor David Jang frequently points to the essence of early church history—namely, continual gospel proclamation and the importance of a Spirit-led community even in the midst of persecution—and he urges today’s church to relearn these lessons.
2. Judea, Samaria, and the Lesson of Division
Along with Jerusalem, one of the key themes in Old Testament history that we must closely examine is the division of Israel. Under King David, the twelve tribes were united into a single kingdom, achieving a period of splendid prosperity; under Solomon, the temple was built as a majestic dwelling place for God. However, toward the end of Solomon’s reign, spiritual corruption and idolatry took hold, eventually leading to the kingdom’s division during the reign of Rehoboam. Ten tribes formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while two tribes remained as the Southern Kingdom of Judah. These “divided kingdoms,” having forsaken their true identity and grown distant from God, ultimately both walked the path of destruction. The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria in the eighth century BC, and the Southern Kingdom was conquered by Babylon in the sixth century BC. Solomon’s marriage to many foreign women introduced pagan idols into Israel, leading the entire nation into idolatry and resulting in them being forsaken by God.
This idolatry and disobedience brought miserable consequences to both the Northern Kingdom and Judah, with large numbers of people taken captive to Babylon. As part of its imperial policy, Babylon forcibly relocated the populations of conquered territories in order to weaken their national and religious cohesion. They also resettled other foreign peoples into these lands to further dilute any unified national identity. From this policy arose the mixed-race people known as the Samaritans. Because the people of Judah viewed them as not being of “pure blood,” they despised them. Over time, the historical separation between “Samaria” and “Judea” became entrenched. Even in Jesus’ time, devout Jews regarded Samaritans as impure and avoided any dealings with them. They would often travel far around Samaria in order to get from Judea to Galilee, refusing even to set foot there.
Yet in the Gospels, Jesus appears to deliberately pass through the region of Samaria. In John 4, He approaches the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar and transforms her life through conversation. This event powerfully demonstrates that Christ’s salvation is not limited to a particular ethnicity or lineage. Moreover, in Luke 10, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate how true neighborly love is proven not by ethnic or religious identity but by compassion and deeds. In that story, a Samaritan—a group hated by the Jewish people—helps a neighbor in need, underscoring that Christ’s salvation transcends all barriers.
Acts 1:8 mentions “Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” in sequence. Despite the long-standing hostility between Jews and Samaritans, the extension of the gospel necessarily includes Samaria by the Lord’s mandate. Therefore, although the believers in the early church were meant to carry the gospel from Jerusalem to all Judea and Samaria, and then to the Gentiles, in reality they were slow to take that step toward Samaria. Stephen’s martyrdom and the ensuing persecution then became the catalyst for this mission. Acts 8:1 says, “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem… and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” This verse illustrates the “paradox of history.” Because of deep-seated prejudice and hostility, Christians had not sought out Samaria, but now, through persecution, they were driven there. In Samaria, Philip the deacon preached the gospel, and many people heard it, experiencing great joy (Acts 8:8).
According to Pastor David Jang, this scene vividly demonstrates the gospel’s capacity to heal the wounds of a divided nation. The hostility and bitterness rooted in Old Testament history were not simply things of the distant past; they still had a tangible impact during the early church era. Likewise, in modern times, we face numerous forms of prejudice and division: divisions among denominations, theological conflicts, ethnic and political strife, and many more. However, God tears down even these seemingly insurmountable walls through the power of the gospel. The hatred and contempt directed toward Samaritans had to collapse under God’s love. In his ministry experience, Pastor David Jang has repeatedly witnessed that true reconciliation and unity can only be achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus taught, no matter how deep the history of humiliation and contempt, it must yield to the gospel. Just as Stephen’s martyrdom led to persecution that opened the door to evangelizing Samaria, so too can our painful histories be transformed for good by the gospel’s power. This is a main point David Jang consistently proclaims.
The history of Judea and Samaria mirrors the broader history of Israel. Because of the sins of idolatry and disobedience, the people of Israel were destroyed. Nevertheless, God’s covenant and love ultimately did not abandon them. Although they were like dry bones, according to Ezekiel 37, when God’s Spirit came upon them, they stood up as a vast army; the vision of two sticks becoming one also foretold their reunification. This prophecy is not limited to historical Israel; it conveys spiritual lessons applicable to believers in every generation. Pastor David Jang asserts that if we sincerely repent of our divisions and hurts and earnestly seek the Holy Spirit’s help, we can unite again as a community that brings the gospel to the world. Recognizing that God’s plan is for Judea and Samaria to be reconciled and for the church to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel is essential.
From Samaria, the gospel continued its expansion into the Gentile world. In Acts 8, Philip’s revival in Samaria foreshadows the broader missionary endeavor of the New Testament era. After Peter and John confirmed the work in Samaria, Acts 10 records how Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, thus bringing the gospel to Gentiles. Step by step, the church moved into ever-wider spheres of ministry. The person who became most crucial in this expansion was Saul, later called Paul—“the Apostle to the Gentiles.” One should not forget that Stephen’s martyrdom played a background role in Paul’s eventual mission. Scripture notes that Saul was present when Stephen was stoned, and many commentators propose that witnessing Stephen’s radiant expression in his dying moments deeply affected Saul’s soul. Indeed, the events of Acts 7 and 8 greatly influenced Saul’s subsequent conversion, enabling him to become a pioneering apostle in the outreach to Gentiles.
Highlighting the theme of “division, healing, and gospel expansion,” Pastor David Jang notes that the pain of church splits, national conflicts, or even domestic strife often has underlying spiritual causes such as idolatry or disobedience. While political and economic reasons might appear to be the main factors, the ultimate issue lies in the human heart turning away from God. Thus, the fundamental remedy is repentance and a return to the gospel. True unity can only be achieved when the Holy Spirit transforms human hearts. Just as the ancient hatred between Jews and Samaritans was resolved through the gospel, so we can still experience the tearing down of modern-day walls through the same message and power of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Modern Church and the Mission of the Holy Spirit
Acts 8 portrays how the church faced “great persecution,” was then scattered, and subsequently experienced a new and explosive revival in the places where believers fled. This is not just a historical narrative of the ancient church but serves as a guiding light for the modern church and our individual faith journeys. Pastor David Jang stresses that “the purpose of the church’s existence is ultimately to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.” Gathering is important and indispensable, but “going out” is just as vital. The complete cycle of gospel mission is realized when we gather and then scatter. Jesus called the disciples to gather only so that they might receive the Holy Spirit and be trained, after which they were sent out. In the same way, after the disciples received the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, they departed into the wider world to spread the gospel.
The modern church must learn from this principle. Worshiping solely in the church building is not the entirety of Christian life. If we remain in one place merely to “preserve” a momentary experience of spiritual growth or a Holy Spirit encounter, we risk trapping the gospel within church walls. Reflecting on the early church’s experience under persecution—how they scattered and how that scattering opened the door for ministry in Samaria and among Gentiles—reveals why today’s church must also be “sent out” into the world. Pastor David Jang teaches, “The church must gather but also must necessarily scatter.” Instead of many believers staying put in one place, they must be sent to workplaces, schools, local communities, and mission fields abroad.
Philip the deacon, who appears in Acts 8, also serves as a key model. Philip was not an apostle. He was merely one of the seven deacons, presumably tasked with distributing aid and carrying out service ministries. Yet Philip was the one who went down to Samaria and ignited a mighty revival. This underscores the truth that the responsibility to spread the gospel does not rest only on apostles or professional missionaries. Every Christian who has received the Holy Spirit can share the gospel and witness signs and wonders wherever they go. Regardless of one’s position in the church, a Spirit-filled lay believer can become a powerful missionary. Modern churches should not limit ministry to Sunday services or a few ordained leaders; instead, they should recognize the priesthood of all believers. Each person must carry the fragrance of Christ wherever they are. Pastor David Jang frequently highlights this “priesthood of all believers,” insisting that the dedication of Spirit-empowered laypeople is the real driving force behind global church expansion.
Later in Acts 8, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch and preaches the gospel to him (Acts 8:26–40). This event marked a pivotal moment in bringing the gospel from Israel and Samaria into Africa, demonstrating God’s plan for global salvation. The gradual extension of the gospel—from Jews to Samaritans and then to the Gentiles—reflects God’s heart for “all the peoples and nations” of the world. Hence, the modern church’s mandate is equally clear: proclaim the gospel in every region, culture, minority group, and persecuted community, whether local or overseas. Pastor David Jang states, “If the church aspires to be a true ‘Antioch church,’ it must balance gathering and scattering, ensuring that our dispersion is ultimately used to advance the kingdom of God.”
Historically, many Western churches experienced powerful Holy Spirit revivals and sent out missionaries worldwide, only to later succumb to spiritual decline and secularization, leading the flames to die down. Our current churches are not immune to similar risks. If we prioritize comfort and stability over going out to transform the world, our zeal can fade, just as it did for many churches before us. But those who cling to the Holy Spirit’s power and the hope of the resurrection have found that persecution does not merely drive them away in fear; rather, it often becomes an opportunity to spread the gospel even further. Diaspora Christian communities and underground churches throughout history serve as proof of this. In regions such as China, North Korea, or the Middle East, the persecuted church has nevertheless experienced revival, confirming Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 that “the gates of Hades will not overcome” His church.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly warns, “If a church simply gathers and never goes out, it will soon lose its identity.” A church filled with the Holy Spirit is by definition an “apostolic church,” one that is “sent.” The Greek term apostolosmeans “one who is sent,” and Jesus Himself said, “As You (the Father) have sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). A church that is faithful to this calling must be a commissioning church, and believers must be ready to reveal Christ in every sphere of life.
Furthermore, being “sent” is not solely the result of commands from pastors or denominational leaders; it is primarily the Holy Spirit who moves the hearts of individual believers and compels them to go out for the sake of the gospel. Sometimes, that process is catalyzed by persecution or hardship. Stephen’s martyrdom profoundly impacted Saul (Paul), launching Samaria’s evangelization. Jerusalem’s “great sorrow” turned into “great joy” in Samaria (Acts 8:8). Church history has always been guided not by our convenience or expectations but by God’s remarkable plan of salvation and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
At this point, Pastor David Jang explains that the Holy Spirit’s primary work is “reminding us of the love of Jesus Christ.” When Jesus was crucified, the disciples fled, and the crowds mocked Him. Yet after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, those same disciples were utterly transformed. They risked their lives to testify about Christ and lived out Jesus’ command to “love your enemies.” Because of that, though the church continued to face persecution, the gospel never ceased to advance, and churches sprang up in every corner of the world. Indeed, persecution often acted as a catalyst for gospel expansion, and the blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church—a historical truth that holds true to this day.
Acts 8:1–8 teaches us that even trials and sufferings in our lives can become stepping stones for God’s kingdom. When the Jerusalem church grew large and believers became reluctant to leave, God allowed Stephen’s martyrdom and fierce persecution to scatter them. Consequently, the gospel spread throughout Judea, Samaria, and beyond—to the ends of the earth. Recognizing this divine sovereignty, love, and the work of the Holy Spirit is precisely what the modern church must rediscover.
Whenever conflicts and divisions arise within the church, we should remember the Lord’s command to bring the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and even the ends of the earth. Instead of letting prejudice or hostility divide us, we must follow Stephen’s example of forgiveness and love, and Philip’s example of proactive evangelism. Pastor David Jang emphasizes, “God’s plan is for the church to thrive in vibrant revival that transforms the world, and any kind of division or persecution can ultimately serve the advancement of the gospel.” This means that the kingdom of God cannot be hindered by any obstacle—an enduring message of hope.
For the church to be truly the church, every believer must be attuned to the Holy Spirit and ready to go wherever He leads. Just as Stephen’s sermon and martyrdom, Philip’s revival in Samaria, and Paul’s mission to the Gentiles formed one continuous flow, the modern church can also see a small seed of obedience yield a great missionary harvest. It is more critical than ever that the church not be fixated on expanding programs or buildings but instead remains committed to reaching the persecuted and marginalized, standing in solidarity with suffering believers around the globe, and fulfilling the gospel mission. In such places, “great joy” will arise, scattered believers will gather anew, and those who are gathered will be sent out again, continuously advancing the gospel.
Pastor David Jang explains that a genuine “Antioch church” spirit involves this Acts-like approach: “evangelization through scattering,” “unity that transcends divisions,” and “a Spirit-filled community in which everyone is a royal priest.” He teaches that all believers—anyone at all—can become apostles, missionaries, and witnesses of the gospel. The theme that runs through David Jang’s core theology and vision is precisely this narrative from Acts: the fiery revival of the Jerusalem church, the scattering that ensued from Stephen’s martyrdom, how that scattering resulted in the salvation of Samaria, and ultimately the extension of missions to the entire world. If today’s church learns from this history, it will no longer be confined by internal problems but will instead embrace God’s heart for the ends of the earth.
Thus, the history recorded in the Book of Acts does not remain in the past; it repeats in every generation and continually expands. Though Stephen died, his martyrdom triggered persecution, that persecution scattered the believers, and those scattered believers eventually took the gospel to the whole world. The wall between Judea and Samaria came down, and the entire world was invited into the kingdom of God. As Acts 8:8 declares, “There was great joy in that city.” Even in the face of persecution and sorrow, revival and joy emerged—testifying to the greatness of the Holy Spirit, which no despair or defeat can thwart.
In line with this, the direction that Pastor David Jang advocates for the modern church is unmistakable. True revival flourishes when believers stand firm through trials and persecution, and sometimes it is precisely through such tribulations that new, larger mission fields open. When the church desires only comfort, God may permit circumstances that disrupt our complacency, awakening us to the reality that it is “time to be scattered.” Like dandelion seeds carried further by the wind, trials and hardships can, paradoxically, become the means by which the gospel is carried farther afield.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit continually teaches us, transforming us inwardly and prompting self-examination. Arrogance, prejudices, or the prideful claim “We are chosen, they are not” can impede the proclamation of the gospel. The love of Jesus demands loving even our enemies and praying unceasingly for their salvation. When Stephen was being stoned, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Many commentators believe that his example of love and prayer may have deeply impacted Saul (Paul). Therefore, the evangelism and love displayed by the early church shone most brightly under persecution, exemplifying the nature of God’s kingdom. Pastor David Jang repeatedly underscores that the modern church must rekindle this same love and adopt a spirit of martyrdom willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
The church’s mission can never be trivialized. We must grasp the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem and remember the order mandated by Jesus Himself in Acts 1:8: “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” God’s plan is not merely for individual repentance and regeneration but for transforming nations and peoples on a large scale. Whether in David’s glorious era or during the fragmentation under Solomon’s idolatry, one unchanging fact remains: all of history is ultimately heading toward the kingdom of God. When Jesus accomplished salvation on the cross, the kingdom of God spread explosively, and the early believers, though persecuted, planted churches worldwide—proving this eternal truth.
The same is required of us now. Rather than standing still in the face of persecution, suffering, or division, we must follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, scattering and going forth. Pastor David Jang observes that when the church forgets this principle, it often stagnates spiritually and becomes mired in internal conflicts. Yet the grand narrative of the gospel spreading from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth has never ceased. Indeed, the gospel shines most brightly as we cross cultural and personal barriers—the very ones that once separated Jews from Samaritans—to bring the good news to the world. To rise as a genuine “Antioch church” in our time, we must embrace the driving power of the gospel and the wind of the Spirit and once again set out for the nations.
Acts chapter 8 demonstrates conclusively that “the church does not exist for the sake of comfort.” Its essence is to testify about Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing the gospel to all who need it. Persecution and trials may come, but they can be occasions through which the Holy Spirit refines the church into something more authentic. Ultimately, our hope is to see the gospel proclaimed throughout Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, so that, as in Acts 8:8, “there was great joy in that city,” this same joy might spring up in every city and region today.
Pastor David Jang calls this vision the “modern church’s dream.” May our homes, workplaces, towns, nations, and the farthest corners of the world be filled with the gladness of the gospel, so that God’s kingdom may be extended. When division or persecution threatens to intimidate and discourage us, we should remember Stephen, Philip, and Paul. Each fulfilled their calling in their particular time and place, obedient to the Holy Spirit. Stephen gave his life, Philip kindled a revival in Samaria, and Paul became a missionary to the Gentiles. Likewise, although our roles may differ, we too are invited to participate in God’s immense work.
This makes the message of Acts 8 exceedingly rich. The revival of the Jerusalem church, Stephen’s martyrdom and the resulting persecution, the scattering of believers, and the extraordinary revival in Samaria are all interconnected. Great sorrow and great joy alternate, illustrating how God’s plan prevails over human frailty and sin. In particular, the transformation of Samaria—from a symbol of a divided nation into a land of “great joy”—shows the healing and restorative power inherent in the gospel. Emphasizing this truth, Pastor David Jang tirelessly reminds believers that if we truly cling to the “power of the gospel,” the countless divisions and wounds in our world will be healed.
In conclusion, Pastor David Jang’s core message drawn from Acts 8 can be summarized as follows:
- Even when the church is persecuted, the gospel ultimately expands into broader fields.
- Long-standing divisions and wounds can be healed and transformed by the gospel.
- The Holy Spirit’s calling is not reserved for a select few; both leaders and laypeople are sent to spread the gospel.
- God’s ultimate will is for the gospel, which began in Jerusalem, to reach Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
When today’s church clings to these truths and resolves to follow them, any “great persecution” can be turned into “great joy.” Just as the early believers, driven from the temple in Jerusalem, discovered the true essence of the church by meeting in homes and scattering throughout the world, so must the church of today walk that same path. At the center of it all is the work of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ, who prayed even for His enemies. May we never forget that this is the very heart of Pastor David Jang’s Acts-based vision and the calling that the modern church must once again embrace.
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