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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
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