As students of the early churches in the book of Acts, we see significant opposition to preaching the Gospel of Christ. Perhaps, many shy away from preaching Christ today because they know it will bring opposition, friction, and maybe even persecution to their lives.
Acts 5:28 “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Unfortunately, people give many excuses as to why, individually and collectively, we are not getting the job done in preaching the Gospel EVERYWHERE. A strong statement that I make as I travel around our country is my concern that MOST CHRISTIANS ARE MORE BOTHERED POLITICALLY THAN THEY ARE BURDENED SPIRITUALLY ABOUT THE CONDITION OF OUR CITIES IN THE NORTHEAST (AND THROUGHOUT AMERICA). This fact does not take away from the need for the Gospel in our towns and villages. And that’s not to say it’s not being done in some places. Getting back to the point, as we study the book of Acts, we find that the early believers went everywhere preaching the Word (Acts 8:4). Over and over again, we see them going from city to city, place to place preaching the Gospel. We must ask ourselves, “Where are the believers today, both in America and in countries around the world, who are traveling and preaching the Word?” I believe it is fair to say that WE NEED PAULS IN AMERICA TODAY.
As we look at Acts 5:28, we see that these men were accused of “filling Jerusalem with your doctrine. ”Wouldn’t that be a good thing to be accused of in your city? And what about the idea of believers traveling around the cities of the northeast and believing we can fill each city with the Word of God? What is it going to take to accomplish this? How can we continue to follow the Biblical pattern of the early churches today?
Let me make some simple lessons from the early churches that we are striving to follow with Northeast for Christ Ministries and Save New England.
1. We must believe the Gospel still works.
I cannot look at the early church believers without seeing that they really believed that the Gospel of Christ was the answer for all of mankind.
Whether it was cities steeped in false idols or religious traditions, they
believed the simple, pure Gospel message of Christ alone was the answer! And let me say, it didn’t matter if it was one person in a chariot, a couple of people in a home, or a small group somewhere; they took seriously each and every opportunity to share the Gospel! What size would the crowd need to be for you to be willing to share the Gospel with someone? The disciples filled the cities with the doctrine of Christ because people went EVERYWHERE preaching the Word. We have to believe there is someone out there who is waiting and that the Word of God still works for EVERY situation and walk of life.
I’m deeply concerned that Christians today have a multitude of prejudices that are hindering them from sharing the Gospel with everyone they meet. Prejudices that hinder the cause of Christ go far beyond the color of someone’s skin, although, unfortunately, that is a serious prejudice in and of itself. But these excuses and hindrances will not stand as we consider what each of us has done with our sweet Saviour’s command to get the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). I am happy to say I believe the Gospel still works today! May we do everything we can to be a part of Gospel work in the cities of America “for such a time as this!”
Do you believe we are in the most needy hour for Gospel work here in the Northeast, in America, and around the world? I do! And I believe the Gospel still saves the Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Atheist, or anyone else who believes in anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. I believe the Gospel still works for each and every ethnicity. I believe the Gospel still works for the homeless and the richest millionaire in any community. I believe there are some sinners who are ready and waiting to be saved. Of course, there are souls hardened to the Gospel. Even in these hard cases, the Gospel seed gets planted in hearts when it is preached.
Even when the majority of residents in a community reject the Gospel, some will still be saved and impacted (Acts 7:58). CHRISTIAN, LET’S BELIEVE AGAIN THAT THE GOSPEL STILL WORKS!
2. We must have a clear plan to fill cities with the Gospel.
We must have a clearly defined strategy if we are going to be effective at Gospel work. It’s interesting to think that the early church did not have any of the electronic technology we have today, yet they “filled Jerusalem with their doctrine.” Someone has well said that “a vision without a plan is just a wish.” The twenty-first-century New Testament church must have a strategic plan, just like the first-century church had a plan. While everything is not cookie-cutter, it didn’t take us long to
develop a clear plan to do our best to blitz a city with the Gospel during our City-wide Gospel Crusades. I wonder how much more would be accomplished for the cause of Christ if we, as God’s leaders today, would get over the hurdle of thinking and talking about what needs to get done and simply do it! Obviously, the size of a city would determine what portions can be covered, but the issue is getting past just talking about the need and developing a Spirit-led plan on how to blitz a city with the Gospel.
I believe it’s also vital that we understand that the development and implementation of that plan is all by faith. We are reminded in God’s Word that without faith, it is impossible to please Him. I emphasize that because I believe many limit their work because they never allow their burden and vision to become wheels in motion (a plan). After all, it requires faith in a lot that you cannot see at this point (finances, staffing, exit strategy needs, etc.). Believe God for a plan for Gospel work!
3. We must see the importance of teamwork.
I genuinely believe the Apostle Paul understood the importance of working like a team. We see him going out with a team in Acts chapter 13. We see him working with a team and many others as he traveled and mentioned some of them by name. We see him promoting that teamwork in his letters to the churches (Philippians 1).
Another excellent example of teamwork in the Bible is found in the Old Testament. Nehemiah is a beautiful picture of the pastor and leader in the New Testament church. Remember that consistent and fervent prayer was an important aspect in developing a plan and vision for their burdens for both Paul and Nehemiah.
We immediately implemented this beautiful aspect of teamwork in our plans for the City-wide Gospel Crusades. We have asked pastors, evangelists, and Bible colleges to participate in the crusades. This is not merely an issue of needing people’s help. It’s an issue of seeing the value in getting more accomplished by working together. I would add that getting more people involved in leading and serving helps us remember that it’s not about us. An old saying goes, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” A better statement for a Christian would be, “It is amazing what God will do when God’s people work together for His glory and His credit.”
I believe this powerful statement made in Acts 5:28 CAN and SHOULD be made today. We can fill our cities with the doctrine of Christ. And, yes, there will be many who do not like it, appreciate it, or even receive it. But, as I’ve said in casting the burden and vision for Northeast for Christ Ministries around the country – we’re not having City-wide Gospel Crusades in America because they want it but because they need it. The Gospel still works, and it’s still work, and it’s still teamwork with ONE great commander—the Lord Jesus Christ.