Acts 8:4-13. The believers who scattered from Jerusalem went about preaching the Gospel. Philip went to a town in Samaria "and the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did." There was great joy in that city! There was also a man there named Simon who practiced magic for the people and they held him in high esteem, "they gave heed to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic." But they turned to Philip when they heard the Good News, and they were baptized in multitudes. Even Simon believed and was baptized and became a follower of a Phillip's.

We see again how God uses the bad to accomplish the good. Because of the persecution that was beginning in Jerusalem with the martyrdom of Stephen, the believers scattered. They did not lose their zeal, however - they took it with them to many new places where they proclaimed the kingdom. Thus, the Gospel spread faster and farther because of the attempts of the Jewish leaders to stifle it.

I also really like the Simon story. For historical and other reasons, the Samaritans were way off base with a lot of things, and I think their esteem for this magician is indicative of the general confusion of the Samaritans with regard to their faith. But God sent Philip there when the time was right and, just like that, they all saw the truth and were converted, even Simon!

It doesn't take much to awaken people to the truth, but the moment has to be right.