The Spreading of the Gospel

        There are some things in life that are difficult not to spread. One of them is apparently a disease such as the virus that we are now experiencing. A germ can live for a long time on different surfaces unless intentionally killed by disinfectant. It can spread by touching or by even being closer than 8 feet from an infected source. In order to combat this virus, we have to remain in isolation in our own little protected bubble and hope that one little virus is able to sneak in on a shoe, a piece of mail, a package or whatever else may be lurking in the shadows. A virus however, is not the only thing that got spread in history. Acts 5:28 says, “saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”

         To the Jews and the Romans, the spread of Christianity in the beginning was much like a virus to them. They couldn't stop it and even tried to suppress the source such as the preaching of the apostles. Peter's first sermon brought over 3,000 into the early church and his second sermon brought about 5,000 into the church. From then on, they couldn't count the number of people that were being converted. You might say that their faith was infectious and was spreading throughout Jerusalem. Peter's response was that they needed to obey God rather than men. You may be able to blockade a person in their home but you can't stop the spread of the Gospel even in today's society. Our voices carry further than eight feet and the proclamation of the Gospel can still go forward even in a day of “quarantine.” These devotions are another example of reaching out to people in a matter of microseconds when the “send” button is pushed. I made a video call to one of my former church members which was an encouragement to me and hopefully to them also. Many of our churches are utilizing social media for keeping the worship services going as well as daily devotions from them to encourage the people in this day. We may not hear the sounds of movement, or coughing, or the dropping of a pencil nor do we smell the fragrances or feel the piece of bread but the worship still remains. You can't legislate against the spreading of the Gospel because it just keeps going out no matter what you might do to try to suppress it. God still uses the voices to proclaim his message through the preaching of His Word and the singing of music. The prayers of the saints still go out to the LORD of Glory and He hears and answers. My the Gospel message keep going out and eventually fill the world with the message of salvation, hope, peace and love. Praise God that He will never leave us nor forsake us.