Dear Christian Believers,
God bless you abundantly in Christ Jesus.

I get so blessed doing these "Days in the Word" because I have the privilege of teaching, and also I get to hear others teach the Word. Recently one of teachers shared about the history prior to the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, and it's importance to the success of the first century church being able to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ over the entire
Mediterranean world. He gave me a book, The Life of Paul, by Ben Robinson and it points out that the history of the two Centuries before Jesus Christ had significant impact on the Jews (Judeans), and Paul's ministry of word over the world.

Acts 19:9 and 19
But when divers (many) were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated (withdrew) the disciples, disputing (reasoning) daily in the school
of one Tyrannus.
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

The Mediterranean world from Spain to Jerusalem spans 2300 miles with 10,000 miles of coastline, and there weren't any trains, planes, automobiles, or steam ships and yet the gospel of Jesus Christ spread over their world, unto all men. The centuries prior to this, Alexander the Great, the Egyptian empire, the Syrian empire, and the Roman empire all had made their mark upon the world. Palestine was like a thorough-fare for all the conquests of these empires. With the passing of each, the dispersion of the Jews (Judeans) increased as they sought relief from the wars and conflict that Palestine was subject to. The Jews and their religion were scattered throughout the Mediterranean world, and they built their modest synagogues everywhere they settled. Historians have discovered that these Jewish settlements followed the line of the march of Alexander the Great. Even though they were far away from the mother community and synagogue in Jerusalem they still kept in contact and their men would travel to Jerusalem to attend at least one of the major feasts each year. Historians say that there were at least 150 synagogues scattered throughout the Mediterranean world by the time of Paul's ministry. I counted nine records during the journeys of Paul, in which he went into the synagogues of the Jews and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another important truth about these Jewish settlements is, the Gentile cultures they moved into believed in "polytheism" the belief in many gods, while the Jews brought with them "monotheism," the belief in One God. As these cultures co-existed with one another, some of the Gentiles began to accept the idea of one God and also liked many other of the Jews beliefs. However, they wanted nothing to do with circumcision. They became devout men and women as referred to in the Book of Acts and even supported the synagogues. One of these Gentiles was Cornelius of Caesarea.

Acts 10:1 and 2
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
A devout man, and one that feared God, with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Alexander the Great made Greek the international language. The dispersion of the Jewish people introduced the Gentiles to the idea of one God. The Romans built the roads for travel, and Paul had Roman citizenship that allowed him to travel. Paul as a church leader had access to preach in the synagogues. And, Paul being full of the holy spirit, obeyed God's revelation and went wherever he was led. The stage was set, and the world was now ready to receive the gospel that Paul preached. PEOPLE, the stage is still set and the world has gotten bigger with more resources for reaching people with the gospel. The only thing left is for God's people to go, stand, speak, and to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and life that God has made available to every man.

Going, Standing and Speaking God's Word with you,

Love, John