Many companies that produce products and services that have export potential fail to break into the export market. There are many reasons for this, including the lack of financial resources. It is very difficult to sustain a move into a new market unless the company has raised the needed capital to produce more goods, have "feet" on the ground and conduct product promotions. You could be thinking that this new movement of followers of Jesus in the first century needed the same.
Acts chapter 18 shows that in a few short years the gospel had gone out of Jerusalem into Asia, Europe and Africa. How could it happen so quickly? God was behind it right from the beginning. Paul is promised by God, for this season, that God will protect him. In fact the leader of the accusers of Paul got beaten up.
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.
Perhaps Gallio himself became a follower. There were Jews from Italy that came and became followers. There is record of Apollos from Alexandria coming to preach the gospel. And also, to Ethiopia since Philip had the opportunity to baptize the senior government official from there.
Did the movement need capital for "production" and "feet" on the ground? No! It was "self financing" and the feet on the ground were being raised supernaturally. Why? They needed the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke's record of the early church is only a small presentation of what was going on. God was moving in hearts without the need for big financial capital and human conflict or war. It goes to show the truth of the message being carried. Are you a part of this movement?
Father, I thank you for saving me when I was just a teenager!
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