All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing since the day you heard it.
Colossians 1:6
You will have to agree, the apostle Paul was the whiz kid at spreading the gospel truthall over the world. As soon as Jesus got Paul’s attention on the road to Damascus (around A.D.35), Paul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God…the Christ (Acts 9:3-22). He couldn’t wait to tell his fellow Jews the good news, although his call was to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16).
Paul’s first lengthy journey was to Cyprus, Perga, and Pisidian Antioch (southern Turkey today). By the time of his house arrest in Rome (A.D.60), he had crisscrossed through Syria, through Asia Minor (Turkey), to Macedonia (Greece) twice, perhaps some 10,000 miles total. To say that he had an impact on the spread of the gospel is an understatement.
What’s more, confinement was no deterrent to bearing fruit. Paul had the attention of the “whole palace guard” (Philippians 1:13)—imagine the earful they got. Many of them responded to his message as evidenced at the end of Philippians: All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household (4:22).
And while there is uncertainty as to Paul ever having been to Colosse, Epaphras heard the story of Jesus, perhaps even from Paul when he was in nearby Ephesus, and capably headed up the Colossian church. Paul also commends the Colossians for their part in the spread, since the day they heard the gospel truth (1:6). That Onesimus, the runaway slave from Colosse, found his way to Paul’s house in Rome and there became (Paul’s) son while (Paul) was in chains (Philemon 1:10), was no accident. Someone back in Colosse no doubt mentioned Paul as a man to run to.
There is no question as to the dynamic nature of the good news. The only questions are: Is the gospel bearing fruit in your life? Are you telling your story with Jesus?
Nancy P
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