Many times have I heard from pastors and other people who have been in the church for some time that new Christians should not be doing the work of an evangelist or try to share the gospel with people. They say that they are not well rounded in their knowledge of the truths of the Bible yet. Therefore, what they say to people may not be doctrinally sound, so they should just go to a good Bible-believing church for some time and hear their pastor teach before they think they are ready to be a witness. But my question is this. Was this how it was in the early church? Absolutely not. I say this because Saul, who became Paul, did not wait years before he started his ministry. If you remember what happened to him, after he saw Jesus in the light on the road to Damascus, Jesus called him into the ministry. It was after he received his sight and was baptized that he went to the disciples in order to join them. He knew the calling for his life and went after it with God at the head, and the Holy Spirit leading him also. Sure, people wondered about his sincerity at first, having been against the church for some time, but that did not stop him from doing exactly what the Lord Jesus called him into. That was to be an apostle and one of the greatest witnesses of the gospel we have ever seen. Most of the New Testament contains Paul’s writings and it is because of his continued commitment to bring forth the gospel unto the Gentiles. Praise God that he was not discouraged in the beginning, but continued to press forward. And he still is a great example to everyone who is new in the faith and wants to serve.
Acts, chapter 13, is one of those chapters that is soon after he joined the disciples. And this is what was happening. “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.” (Acts 13:1-5) It was said that Saul, who became Paul, was among those who were called prophets and teachers in the church. Each one of them fasted and the Holy Spirit sent off Paul and Barnabas for the work of the ministry. Even did the other disciples lay their hands on them and sent them forth as God called them. It was then that they were at Salamis that they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. This is boldness and courage the Holy Spirit in the making. What a wonderful beginning to Paul’s ministry. And now concerning new believers, go forth also by way of the Holy Spirit. Wherever God is calling you to, do it with all the energy of your soul. This is how I began my ministry and I have not looked back since. God is good to His promises.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will not only continue to lead me in my devotional and evangelism ministries but also others in the faith. So many people are still going strong, but others are falling by the wayside. Even do I see churches close down because of the pandemic, which is very sad to see. Not only has this caused them to suffer financially, but many of their members have forgotten You altogether. Surely, the times we are living in right now are very difficult for many people at large. Fear is in the air right now and many people are very discouraged, which I pray that they will soon find peace. Yes, God, bring upon every person who is suffering right now Your spiritual food from above. Give them manna, which is Your body that came down from the heavens. And give unto them your cup, which is Your blood that was shed for mankind. Bring the light from the heavens back into their bodies. What people are missing is the nourishment from You, God. Too many other things have taken over their lives, that what You have once given them has long been since forgotten about. So help people understand what they are missing out on. And for all the new believers, help them to stay encouraged by going out in the harvest, as You have called them too. You know the spiritual gifts we are each called to and I pray that these young Christians and even older ones, will discover their own giftings. The harvest is ripe for the harvest, but I pray that more people will come forth and become Your workers. I love You, Jesus. You are my God and I worship You. Amen.
