Acts 8 Good gossip.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus had told His disciples they would be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After the death of Stephen, reported in Acts 7, there was a great growth of the church. This growth came about as the church in Jerusalem hired a professional staff, organized a sharp marketing program, spend much on an advertising program and jammed the church buildings full of people. Not quite! The secret to the growth into Judea and Samaria is found in one word in 8:4: “preached.” From this word we get the English word, “evangelize.” It means to “tell or talk (gossip) about the good news.” Even though the believers were persecuted and had to leave Jerusalem, wherever they went they talked about the message of Christ, the “good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” to the people around them. They were excited about what Christ had done for them and wanted to share. The deacon from Acts 6, Philip, was especially available and active as the Holy Spirit led him among the people of Samaria and then south of Jerusalem to “talk about the good news” about Jesus with the Ethiopian eunuch. Many in Samaria believed (8:14), as did the Ethiopian eunuch.
Pastor Will has challenged us to “talk about the good news of Jesus” with 3-5 friends, neighbors and associates. How is that coming? Recently in some of the ABFs we have explored using hospitality in our homes as a means of giving opportunities for talking about the gospel. Whom are the 3-5 persons you are influencing for Christ? Are you being faithful in reaching out?
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