As soon as Paul knew the truth of the gospel message, he felt an urgency to spread the truth. It was with an even greater urgency than he had felt when persecuting the Christian church. There was an immediacy about all that he did. However, with all the immediacy, he also listened very closely to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all that he did. As we noted last time, he did spend 3 years of intense training by God in Nabatean Arabia, further preparing him to be the missionary to the gentile nation that he became. Yet, from the moment he first believed, he felt the urgency to spread the truth of the gospel wherever he went. Paul taught told everyone about Jesus Christ.
He never minced words, rather declaring that Jesus was the true Messiah, the Son of God, who came, died on a cross to pay the sin debt for all, and rose again on the third day. Then, he would proclaim the truth that no one could come to the Father apart from believing in Jesus Christ. Only those who would believe in Jesus, accepting Him as Lord and Savior could be saved. This truth caused Paul to feel an urgency because all who did not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would never enter heaven. All who died without Christ would face an eternity in hell, separated from God. No matter how pious a life they had lived. Boldly, Paul went about teaching this truth and for that many wanted him dead. The persecutor of Christians became the persecuted Christian.
So, they lowered him in a basket outside the wall of Damascus so he could go to Jerusalem where he longed to meet the apostles.
THE URGENCY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH
Paul went then to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles. With the help of Barnabas, he met with Peter and spent 15 days in Jerusalem. While there he continued to preach and debate the Grecian scholars within the Hellenistic Synagogues. The very ones in which he had debated against Stephen earlier. Now he with great urgency proclaimed the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Finally, when the disciples heard of the plot to kill Paul, they sent him away to Tarsus where he continued to preach.
Meanwhile, Peter also continued to preach with urgency, passing “through all parts of the country” Acts 9:32. Until this point, the gospel message was mostly to the Jewish nation; however, that too would soon change. For the moment, Peter was the one who preached when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. He had also gone to welcome the believers among the Samaritans, and he would go against all tradition by bringing the message to the gentiles soon. However, before that he was the instrument through which God healed Ananias and raised Dorcas from the dead. But, by now, Peter knew that it was the name of Jesus Christ who could perform these miracles and it had nothing to do with him. Indeed, he knew it was a blessing that God allowed him to be present and witness to all this. He did not want anyone to mistakenly give him praise.
The Truth Spread
It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner (Acts 9:42-43). There was a time when no Jew would be found in the house of a tanner. But, one by one, grace was reaching out to all. The urgency of the gospel message was for the world. Next time, in chapter 10 of Acts, we will see its spread to the Gentile nations.
Concluding thoughts:
We look around us today bustling through our busy lives. Yet, when was the last time you thought about the urgency of winning others to Christ. So many whom we meet may not even be here another week. Nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, neither is our own life guaranteed. A car wreck, a fatal illness, a sudden cardiac arrest and my life on earth could end. At that point, does it matter that I thought about telling the neighbor about Christ?
Tweets
[bctt tweet=”When you see all the pain, sorrow, and grief within this world, don’t you feel an urgency to spread the good news of the gospel?” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”I cannot be certain of tomorrow; but, this moment I have! Who can I tell of the good news of the gospel message of Jesus Christ today!” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”In a broken world filled with anger, fear, and sorrow, who can be the one to whom I bring the joy of the news–Jesus Christ died for your sins and is seated at the right hand of the Father bidding you to come, today!” username=”effiedarlene”]
John 3:16,18,19
[bctt tweet=”John 3:16,18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”John 3:18,19but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
PREVIOUSLY
One Transformed Life that Changed the World
Will You Do Whatever God Says, No Matter What?
If I in Silence Do Dismiss (A Poem)
Did You Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit?
Is there a Faith that Cannot Save?
But for God, the Sorrows that Abound- a poem
How can Relentless Persecution Really Bring About Good?
One of the Greatest Sermons Ever
7 Characteristics of Stephen Everyone Should Know
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.
Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there
Furthermore for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits:
Photo by zhang kaiyv on Unsplash