"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out." (v. 13-15)
This morning I'm brought back to a topic that has always amazed me as it concerns the Bible. Of all the controversial parts of the Bible one indisputable fact is that, shortly after Christ died, Christianity spread. It's not so much that it spread (because obviously all religions have done this) but how it spread. The central character of this sect of believers had actually died which, one would think, is an uncommon beginning to such a popular movement. The Message went against the norms of the day. In a time where tradition was greatly valued, the message was new, fresh & unconventional; a time when Jewish beliefs ruled, the message strayed away from it; a time where paganism was rampant, the message taught against it's ways.
I'm probably not giving you much new information here but what I'm trying to get to is the awesomeness of the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm convinced that He's the main culprit in the spread of this gospel. Why else would the new believers of this time turn from their old lives & follow this Man they had only heard about? Why would they sacrifice their lives and the lives of their families for this cause? They had to be convicnced that what they heard & what they believed was absolutely true because the cost was so high. And how else could they know it was true unless revealed by revelation of the Holy Spirit? These believers didn't have the same resources we have today. Most couldn't read & if they could, the New Testament wasn't even a book yet. They didn't have the archaeological & historical evidence of the truth of the Bible. They didn't have the droves of Christian bookstores to get information from.
I understand why Paul was so thankful that they had even received the Word & accepted it as the word of God. He knew the challenges of the times & had to be aware of how silly his gospel message sounded (1 Cor 1:21). They even showed their acceptance by enduring persecution. It's a blessing to see the fruit in the lives of those you've shared the gospel with. That's a long way down the road, however, if we're not at first even sharing the gospel.
So I'm thankful today, for the power in God's word, in His Holy Spirit. The power to convince people of truth, to endure hardships & live holy. I'm thankful for the access we have to this power through His holy word. Thankful that this power resides in me (John 14:16).
Good thoughts Ryan. In spite of persecution the power of God's word was spread throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth. More than likely it spread "because of" the persecution (see Acts 8:1). Even before his conversion we see Paul (then Saul) spreading the gospel but this time it was because he tried to stop it. But satan could not stop it then and he cannot stop it now unless we become silent. Perhaps when we too "have been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13) as Peter and John in this account then we will also say when persecution comes that "we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" and pray as they prayed with their companions "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,". Grow-on brother and keep "Bloggin' on"!
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