The Gospel Spreads

by Micky Galloway

In our last article, we emphasized the establishment of the church in accordance with the prophecy of the Lord, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Isaiah had prophesied, concerning the kingdom that all nations would flow into it and that the word would go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3). Daniel had prophesied, “And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44). The Lord’s church, His kingdom, would be composed of people from all nations, both Jew and Gentile. After the resurrection of Jesus, He commissioned his apostles, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Matthew’s account tells us, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). In Acts 1:8, just before His ascension, Jesus said to the apostles, “ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” As witnesses of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the apostles could not but tell of the things they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). The gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ, was the message to be preached. Disciples are not made by the doctrines of men (cf. Matthew 15:8-9). The “social gospel” only converts to recreation and social activities. The “denominational gospel” results in the “Papacy” and the “faith only” teaching that will not justify (James 2:24). The “latter-day” gospel is “another gospel” because it is not the gospel Paul preached and is therefore “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). It is the purpose of this article to examine the spreading of the gospel of Christ “unto the utter most part of the earth.”

The gospel was indeed preached in Jerusalem and to those of Judea. In Acts 2 in Jerusalem, the apostle Peter addressed the Jews, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words…” (Acts 2:14). “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea…” (Acts 8:1). In Acts 5:28 the leaders of the nation of Israel, accused the apostles, “ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” The results of the gospel being preached in Jerusalem becomes evident, Acts 2:37-41, “Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, (even) as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added (unto them) in that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 6:7 tells us, “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

The gospel was preached among the Samaritans. In Acts 8:1 we learn, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:4 tells us, “They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word…” Further, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. For (from) many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:5-8). Philip preached to them, “good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.” The results of preaching the gospel among the Samaritans is seen in that “they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

The gospel was preached among the Gentiles for the first time in recorded history in Acts 10-11 with the conversion of Cornelius and his household. In Acts 10:23-33 Cornelius had called together his kinsmen and his near friends to “hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.” Cornelius had sent to Joppa to bring Peter to Caesarea to preach the gospel. Cornelius had made considerable effort to be present and to assure the presence of others for this important occasion. Evidence of the success of Peter’s preaching is seen in that he commanded them to be baptized (Acts 10:48). The apostle Paul began his first of three preaching journeys, being sent out by the good church in Antioch of Syria to preach among the Gentiles (Acts 13:1). He was known as the apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 22:21). The success of the gospel is seen in such passages as Acts 18:8 where in Corinth many “hearing, believed, and were baptized.”

Paul affirmed, “For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21). The gospel only makes Christians only, wherever it is preached. The word of the Lord has gone forth. While time is ours, let us go forth “sowing the precious seed” and say to all… “come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and let us walk in His ways for out of Zion has gone forth the law of the Lord and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3). Indeed, the gospel “was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister” (Colossians 1:23).