They That Were Scattered Abroad
Went Everywhere Preaching The Word

There is a teaching that suggests that God only saves His elect via pulpit preaching and never (or rarely) from the faithful witnessing of a Christian to those about them. The belief is that most all witnessing, most all attempts to declare the Gospel, and to reason with the hearers, is in vain if done in the hope that God may (upon quickening then) use it unto the conversion of their souls. But consider,

“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore THEY THAT WERE SCATTERED abroad WENT EVERY WHERE PREACHING [Euaggelizō / G2097] the Word.” Acts 8:1-4

What preaching did those who were scattered abroad preach? They were evangelizing; they were proclaiming the Gospel! In the Greek, the word is Euaggelizō [G2097; euaggelizō; yü-än-ge-lē’-zō; to bring good news, to announce glad tidings… especially concerning the things that pertain to salvation]. Consider also,

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, PREACHING the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, SPAKE unto the Grecians, PREACHING [Euaggelizō / G2097] THE LORD JESUS. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21

We see no talk here of elders, bishops, pastors, or deacons. We see no talk of church pulpits or the like. What we do see is that those who were scattered, those who went into the various surrounding regions, preached the Gospel and many believed. We all have a duty to witness to those around us as God gives opportunity. We all have a duty to PREACH (herald, declare, bring glad tidings concerning) the Gospel. We, like the Gadarene (Luke 8:39), should PUBLISH throughout our area (as God opens the door) how great things Jesus hath done unto us. That word PUBLISH is “Kēryssō” [G2784; kā-rü’s-sō; to be a herald, to officiate or proclaim after the manner of a herald; to publish or proclaim openly: something which has been done].” Kēryssō is translated in the AV/KJV as preach (51x), publish (5x), proclaim (2x), etc. Nothing about this Gadarene passage suggests that God had to first make him a Pastor and establish a pulpit for him before people could here the Truth and believe.

Finally, the Apostle Paul declared:

 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather UNTO THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” 14 And MANY OF THE BRETHREN IN THE LORD, waxing confident by my bonds, ARE MUCH MORE BOLD TO SPEAK THE WORD without fear. 15 Some indeed PREACH [Kēryssō/G2784] CHRIST even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, EVERY WAY, WHETHER IN PRETENCE, OR IN TRUTH, CHRIST IS PREACHED; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:12-18

Notice that the apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, declares that he rejoices at the preaching of the Gospel even if the motivation of the preacher is envy, pretence, or contention. Paul was declaring that it is the preaching of the Gospel that matters, not the speaker, the speaker’s locale, the speaker’s title, or the speaker’s motivation. He declares that it is good for the Gospel to be preached before men even if it is coming from one whose motive is sinful. If a “pastor,” from a pulpit and within the confines of a church, preaches Christ out of pretense and contention, and yet the Apostle can still rejoice over it, how much more so could he rejoice over a “layman” (one who has no office or title) who proclaims the truth out of godly sincerity, love, and concern? So please, proclaim The Word brethren! Witness as God enables and do so WITH HOPE. Even if we see no result from such efforts with our own eyes, even after years and decades, who knows what seed we may be planting by God’s grace. Who knows what God will do with it down the road in the lives of the hearers. Pray earnestly as God enables, be a herald, and wait upon Him to save His own. Tell all who are willing to hear about the salvation of elect sinners based solely upon the sovereign grace, will, and mercy of God in light of the person, work, and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To God be the glory!

Curt Wildy