Empowered Witnesses: The Gospel's Transformative Journey

Apostolic preaching was the primary catalyst for the spread of the gospel. God has consistently used preaching as a means to convey His message, raising up individuals with the ability to proclaim His word powerfully. This method has been evident throughout history, from the Methodist Awakening to other revivals. However, preaching alone was not the sole factor in the church's expansion. [00:06:40]

Persecution, paradoxically, played a crucial role in spreading the gospel. As believers were scattered due to persecution, they carried the message of Christ with them, sharing it wherever they went. This principle of God using adversity to further His purposes is seen throughout the Bible, from Joseph's story to Paul's imprisonment. Persecution should not discourage us; rather, it can be a tool for God's greater plan. [00:08:09]

The third factor was the witness of ordinary believers. These early Christians, though not apostles, went everywhere "gossiping the word." They shared the gospel in their daily interactions, not through formal preaching but through conversations. This grassroots spread of the gospel has been a recurring theme in church history, with movements like the Waldensians and the Brethren of the Common Life preceding major revivals. [00:15:00]

The message these believers shared was not about personal experiences but the definitive word of God. This distinction is crucial, as it sets Christianity apart from other beliefs and cults. The gospel is a clear, defined message that even the simplest believer can understand and share, yet it remains profound enough to challenge the greatest minds. [00:29:22]

Ultimately, the driving force behind these believers' witness was their experience of the Holy Spirit's power. Being filled with the Spirit compelled them to share the gospel, even at great personal risk. This same Spirit is available to us today, empowering us to be bold witnesses in our own contexts. [00:47:19]

The Christians were a very small group of people as you know they were really just a handful of people uh and there surrounding them were many that were bitterly opposed to them the Jews they hated our Lord and were mainly responsible for his crucifixion and the Gentiles the Romans and others were all opposed to the gospel. [00:04:09]

The great need today as always is mighty Apostolic preaching that comes first, but you notice it wasn't the only factor in the spread of the church and in the extension of the kingdom of God. There was a second factor and this to me is the most interesting and the most encouraging one. [00:08:09]

Persecution has often been used by God to further his own purposes even the imprisonment of Paul opens of the possibility of the presentation of the Gospel in the Imperial Palace. In other words, for me to sum it up, we can put it like this as a psalmist puts it so perfectly, verily the wrath of men shall praise thee. [00:13:20]

The witness and the testimony of these people, these ordinary members of the Christian Church, therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Who were they? Well, we've already been told they were the members of the church in Jerusalem apart from the apostles. [00:19:01]

The Christian message is a very definite message and I want to emphasize this at a pres at the present time you know the common idea today is this that you can't really Define the Christian message but all that matters is that we should be Christians that we all should be out to do good. [00:29:22]

The business of the Christian is to be preaching the word. Well now what does this mean and here again is something very important we are told that these people who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word what did they do and it's the case isn't it that the moment I mentioned this word preaching you immediately and instinctively think of what I'm trying to do at the present time. [00:25:23]

The message of ours is such that the simplest Christian can give expression to it and yet the mightiest philosopher or scientist can't stand it they called it foolishness at the beginning they're still saying it's Folly it doesn't make the slightest difference it is the word what is this word well I mustn't keep you you're familiar with it it's the message of the New Testament. [00:33:10]