Empowered by the Holy Spirit, a small group of fishermen and
other men, previously paralyzed by fear, began to boldly proclaim the gospel
message at the risk of their very lives. The message had immediate impact.
After the first sermon, three thousand people were saved. After the next
sermon, five thousand were saved, and people continued to be saved in great
numbers. These Christians came to love and share and provide for each other in
dramatic fashion, and they shared their message with others.
The message provided answers for an Ethiopian eunuch, who
carried the message back to his country. The message transformed Saul, a rabid
persecutor of the church, into a powerful preacher and missionary. The message brought
peace to the Gentiles, starting with a centurion named Cornelius. Scattered by
persecution, Christians carried the transforming message of the gospel into Phoenicia,
Cyprus, Antioch, and many other places, eventually covering the known world of
their time.
The gospel had such an impact in Ephesus that sorcerers and
magicians abandoned their practices and burned quantities of valuable books;
those who manufactured idols began to fear for their livelihood. The influence
of the gospel message was so great that those who proclaimed it were accused of
having "upset the world"
(Acts 17:6).
Indeed, the gospel has upset the world and has changed it
forever. Far from being a negative impact, this change has been exceptionally
positive. Missionaries have brought societal influences for good, contributing
significantly to literacy, medical care, teaching of trades, modernization, democracy,
private ownership, and respect for individuals. The best benefits of the gospel
message, however, have been far more significant.
When John Paton prepared to go as a missionary to the New
Hebrides islands, he was warned that he would be killed and eaten by cannibals.
That was the immediate fate that befell the first missionaries who attempted to
land there. Other missionaries were also chased away, and John faced numerous
threats on his own life. In addition to the violence and fighting, the
islanders also practiced infanticide and widow sacrifice. They were worshipers
of idols. As John carried the gospel message, however, almost the entire population
of natives was saved. They threw away their idols, abandoned their heathen
customs, and began to follow God.
When Mary Slessor arrived in Nigeria, the mission work was
fairly well-established, but earlier missionaries to the region had been killed
by villagers. Superstitions and witchcraft still existed, and some tribes were
still hostile toward outsiders. Alcoholism was rampant. Slavery was widespread,
with slaves often being killed when their master died. Because of a
superstition about twins, both babies would typically be killed at birth. As
Mary and other missionaries taught the gospel message, these customs were
curtailed. Tribes stopped fighting so much against each other, and the
residents began working through disputes rather than routinely killing those in
opposition.
These stories could be repeated over and over again, as
missionary after missionary carried the gospel message into places of spiritual
darkness. Missionaries like Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, David Brainerd, Adoniram
Judson, Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward, Amy Carmichael, David Livingstone, William
Carey, Jonathan Goforth, Robert Moffat, C. T. Studd, Eric Liddell, and John
Stam went to unreached peoples all around the world.
These people were caught up in superstitions, idol worship,
and heathen lifestyles. They murdered their enemies, attacked those who
intimidated them, slaughtered strangers, sacrificed their children, and killed
their widows. They made slaves of their enemies, their poor, and their
children. They practiced prostitution of every type, including children. They
stole, lied, and cheated. They ignored the rule of law and lived without
morality. They lived in fear, hopelessness, and defeat.
But the gospel message changed everything! From those dark
pasts and depraved practices rose new converts - believers who now had truth
and hope and light and joy. They became responsible and respected citizens. They
started cherishing their families and caring about their neighbors. They
abandoned wicked superstitions and false idols. They started dressing better,
talking better, and living better. The change in them was noticeable, and they
began impacting those around them with the gospel. They became pastors,
teachers, church leaders, and missionaries.
Through the Great Awakenings, the gospel message had impact
on America. Personal, vibrant religion emerged out of empty formalism. The gospel
was introduced to the slaves, and black churches were started for the first
time. Missionary outreach to the Indians expanded. Reforms occurred in various
areas of life, including diet and dress; the most significant were the
temperance movement and the push toward abolition of slavery.
America in particular was founded on Christian principles,
with Biblical ideals and sacred verbiage permeating the constitution. While
other countries may not look back to the same deliberate Christian impact,
nevertheless Christians have influenced the laws and governments of many
nations. Christians around the world have advocated reforms in keeping with the
Bible and have exercised a momentous moderating influence in this world. The
gospel message continues to impact individuals, churches, and society as a
whole.
"Do not be
deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you
were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians
6:9-11).
Hallelujah for the transforming power of the gospel! Thank
You, Father!
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