The Spread of the Gospel
Many people have misconceptions about the spread of the gospel and how that works. During Paul's ministry in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, the gospel spread to everyone in the whole region. (Acts 19:9,10) What does that mean, and how did it happen? Let's think about it using this example.
Paul went to the Jews of the city by preaching and teaching in the synagogue. Soon the Jews rejected, but Paul kept teaching the disciples in another location, and they kept seeing more people get saved. This went on for 2 years. The result of this movement of God was that all heard the word of the Lord Jesus.
Paul did not try to force people to accept Jesus. When people rejected Jesus, he went to those who were open. He discipled whoever would listen, and they knew that they should spread the gospel, so they went everywhere in Asia Minor doing the same thing. It was not just Paul's ministry. It was the ministry of each believer that led to the spread of the gospel. Finally, all heard the gospel, but not everyone accepted Jesus as Lord. We must not be discouraged by this fact, but we must be faithful to keeping spreading the gospel. Then, God will be faithful to keep giving the increase.
This is an example of why every church should be a disciple making body and a missionary sending body, so that we saturate our community, our county, our state, and our country with the gospel, as well as spreading the gospel overseas. The Great Commission is clear. We are commanded to make disciples who make disciples, until all have heard the gospel.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 20-22.
Paul went to the Jews of the city by preaching and teaching in the synagogue. Soon the Jews rejected, but Paul kept teaching the disciples in another location, and they kept seeing more people get saved. This went on for 2 years. The result of this movement of God was that all heard the word of the Lord Jesus.
Paul did not try to force people to accept Jesus. When people rejected Jesus, he went to those who were open. He discipled whoever would listen, and they knew that they should spread the gospel, so they went everywhere in Asia Minor doing the same thing. It was not just Paul's ministry. It was the ministry of each believer that led to the spread of the gospel. Finally, all heard the gospel, but not everyone accepted Jesus as Lord. We must not be discouraged by this fact, but we must be faithful to keeping spreading the gospel. Then, God will be faithful to keep giving the increase.
This is an example of why every church should be a disciple making body and a missionary sending body, so that we saturate our community, our county, our state, and our country with the gospel, as well as spreading the gospel overseas. The Great Commission is clear. We are commanded to make disciples who make disciples, until all have heard the gospel.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 20-22.