Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
Looking back at the Church in the first century there is no doubt that it thrived despite the circumstances they were in. If they had fail, we will not be where we are today. How did they make it without Bibles, Christian literature, radio, television, internet, cars, or airplanes? God used persecution to send out believers en masse as missionaries to other cities/villages.
He called Paul, Barnabas and their colleagues and sent them to distant lands to proclaim the gospel.
Paul had only some portions of the Torah to use, but under the power and leading of the Holy Spirit they presented the Good news everywhere they went. Those who believed were organized into local churches and taught for a few weeks or months. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for each church after fasting and praying.
They did not have resources like phone numbers or email addresses to leave behind for these ‘green’ elders. They committed them “to God and to the word of His Grace” and God did the rest of the equipping.
Today, we have access to diverse and excellent resources to build us up in our faith. Sadly though, we seem to focus more on the resources than on God and his power.
Our heads and pockets are full, but our hearts are empty. Lord, have mercy. Amen!
