Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Acts 19 and Psalm 87

(Paul) took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. (v.9-10)

How did the Gospel spread throughout the whole Roman province of Asia in the space of two years when it’s premier messenger, Paul, was centred in one public lecture hall in the city of Ephesus?

There’s really only one possible answer. Those who heard and believed the message of the saving work of Jesus, told others, who told others, who told others. Those whose lives were powerfully impacted by Jesus, helped others to be just as powerfully impacted too. As they travelled and moved around the region, they took the Gospel message of Jesus and the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit with them. These early Ephesian believers practically demonstrated what the apostle Paul would later write to them in his letter:

“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up …” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

These early Ephesian believers were Jesus’ own people who built up the body of Christ by carrying the Gospel message with them wherever they went, and by giving their lives to serve the cause of the Kingdom. Paul himself did not need to travel, because the whole Body was on the move. Every member was in ministry!

Life application: How will you serve the Kingdom and minister the Good News of Jesus to people you encounter in the course of your ordinary Tuesday today? Let’s all set out to show and tell the Gospel message to others faithfully!