Furthering the Gospel

Acts 8:1 ESV

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

Christianity was in full swing after Pentecost. Thousands of believers were coming to Christ, and the movement was booming all over Jerusalem. Then, approximately five to six months after Pentecost, the persecution of the Christian religion began. Steven was martyred, and the Christians in Jerusalem spread out through the known world, which including all of Asia Minor and parts of Africa. Why did God allow this to happen? Because the news of Jesus Christ had to be spread all over the world not just in Jerusalem. God had already set in place the common Greek language throughout Asia Minor by the hand of Alexander the Great; now it was easy for the Gospel to be preached throughout this region and beyond. People could hear the Gospel in a language that they were familiar with.

Sometimes we get into a comfort zone, and we become less ambitious. Sometines we lose focus and forget to tell what Jesus did for us. Sometimes God allows things to happen to wake us up and shake us up. We are His voice in the world, it is our responsibility, our privalage to pass the Good News on.

Prayer:

Lord, I understand at times things will come into my life to wake me up and shake me up, and to remember my purpose in this life is to do Your will. To speak about you, to honor you is my responsibility. Thank You for Your love and patience with me. In Your name, Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen!