Becoming a 1:8 Christian: Romans 1:8
“8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” Romans‬ ‭1:8‬
Paul makes mention that the Christians in Rome were very zealous to to share their faith. They were a mission minded church. They began to emulate the dynamics of the those who brought the gospel to them. I personally believe they may have been evangelized by Christians from the church in Thessalonica. Paul hints of this in 1 Thessalonians 1:8; “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”
This mission mindset may have had roots in Acts 1:8. It was there just before His ascension that Jesus said to His disciples; “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Jesus wanted every Christin to be a personal evangelist. In fact, it would not be stretching the teaching of Jesus to conclude that one sign of being Spirit Filled is a zeal and fruitfulness in sharing the gospel.
When taken together, these three verses paint the heart of the early church. Every Christian was active and not passive in sharing their faith. Jesus gave birth to a World Changing Movement.
Are these three 1:8 referenced coincidental? I sincerely doubt it. I believe they are providential. Ask God to transform you into 1:8 fruitfulness. Join the ranks of being a 1:8 World Changer!
Daily Devotional and Bible commentary by: Terry Baxter… Cofounder of GoServ Global