Page 6 - May 2025 - Truth & Tidings

dentifying the primary protagonist God transform the gospel from its begin-
in the book of Acts is difficult. The nings in a temple in Judea to a movement
Ititle implies that twelve of the eyewit- that was eventually blamed for turning the
nesses of Christ’s resurrection will form world upside down (17:6)?
the main cast of characters, but then Peter Obviously, divine intervention could
becomes the prominent preacher in the negate any need for human participa-
early chapters, giving way to Paul in the tion. However, early on it became clear
latter section. Also, some have rebranded that God’s method to reach the masses
the book “The Acts of the Holy Spirit,” would be by means of people spreading
highlighting the Spirit’s role in the nar- His message. But with the limitations of
rative. But leaving aside the persons the apostles and a large area to cover, how
involved, this detailed record always did God accomplish this increase? Severe
seems to be moving toward one goal: the persecution forced believers out of Jeru-
furtherance of the Word of God. salem and scattered them throughout the
At the end of the section devoted to empire. In this way, every single believer
the preaching of Peter and John, we read, became a carrier of the gospel! “Therefore
“The word of God increased” (Act 6:7). they that were scattered abroad went ev-
1
Following the death of Herod Agrippa erywhere preaching [bringing the good
I, we are told, “The word of God grew news of] the word” (8:4). God still saw
and multiplied” (12:24). And despite the fit to order and honour the public procla-
enmity at Ephesus, progress continued: mation of the gospel, but now, personal,
“So mightily grew the word of God and private witnessing seemed to play an
prevailed” (19:20). But how? increasing role in evangelizing the world.
Peter’s powerful Pentecost preaching A band of royal priests was spreading
led to 3,000 souls being saved. Then the out to show forth the excellencies of Him
searching sermon on sin and salvation at who had called them (1Pe 2:9). Without
Solomon’s Porch resulted in the deliver- a religious hierarchy that designated
ance of 5,000 men. Many heard of Christ’s one class of people as preachers and oth-
death and resurrection throughout those ers as spectators, they all felt convicted
initial days, and large crowds were and responsible to be “word-of-mouth”
converted. But in the grand scheme of messengers. The marketplace became a
things, Jerusalem was a small dot on an harvest field as people traded goods and
ever-growing map of the known world. shared their faith. Mothers told others of
In a time when travel was mainly on foot, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ,
roads were riddled with robbers, and and innkeepers got an earful of the gos-
peril awaited sailors at sea, few would pel as guests lodged along their journey.
think that twelve men could be entirely Everywhere they went, every person
responsible for the worldwide growth of they met was a candidate for the gospel.
any grassroots movement. So, how did
Opportunities grew as the Gentiles were
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the brought into the mix, and this healthy
KJV. network of believers was used mightily

134 TRUTH kTidings May 2025