A Gospel Impact

Imagine if everybody in your city knew the content of the gospel. Imagine if someone could come into town and ask anybody what the gospel was and that person could give them a clear explanation of it even if they didn't believe it. Imagine, also, that everyone in town knew where this teaching was coming from so they could tell a newcomer where they could go to hear more about the gospel.

This all seems very hard to imagine but it was true of the early church in Jerusalem. The high priest said to the apostles, "Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching (Acts 5:28)." The high priest wasn't saying this in a complimentary way. He was opposed to what the apostles were doing. He was simply recognizing the reality. He also understood what the gospel was about. He realized that it was all about "this man," Jesus.

Now think about the apostles. All they had to spread the message was word of mouth. They had no other means of communication. And, they were in a hostile environment. The people in Jerusalem had consented to the death of Christ not too long before all of this. Additionally, the high priest and other religious leaders had told the apostles to stop spreading their message and had threatened them (Acts 4:18,21).

Yet, the apostles and other believers filled the city with the gospel. What was the key to their gospel impact? Among other things, one thing must be pointed out. When the apostles were told to stop spreading their message, they gave a simple reply. They said, "We cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard."

Think about you and me. Think of all we have seen and heard. Over and over again I have seen and heard about the transforming power of the gospel. Not only that, but I have experienced it myself. How can I not speak of what I have seen and heard? I pray that the Lord would give to me and others, not only a rejoicing heart but speaking lips that are eager to proclaim all we have heard and seen. Perhaps then the Lord will use us to fill our cities with the gospel.