Who would've thought it? "Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith"(Acts 6:7). Priests seem a pretty poor target for the gospel, don't they? They are committed to their faith not only by a lifetime of service, but also by centuries of history tracing their work back to the time of Aaron. Surely the doctrines of Judaism are too far ingrained in them. There's just too much for them to leave behind. Why bother preaching to them? It won't do any good. Yet "a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith." Who would've thought?

Who would've thought it? "Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done"(Acts 8:13). Simon had been a sorcerer, essentially lying and tricking the people for a career. He would never leave behind his trickery, with his focus on money (v. 18) and the great following he'd gathered. "They all gave heed, from the least to the greatest" to him "because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time"(Acts 8:10-11). He was famous, respected, and wicked. Why bother preaching to him? It won't do any good. Yet "Simon himself also believed, and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip." Who would've thought?

Who would've thought it? "Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord"(Acts 13:12). A proconsul, the governor of the whole island of Cyprus? He'd never be interested. He's too powerful, too wealthy, and too busy. It's too far beneath him to become a disciple of Jesus. Also, he had a wicked advisor or friend, Elymas the sorcerer (v. 6-8). Why bother? Sure, he might have asked to hear the gospel, but he won't really be interested. Yet "the proconsul believed." Who would've thought?

What's the problem here? Our estimation of people's reception of the gospel is not always accurate. In fact, we are horrible judges of who will come to faith in Jesus and who will not. Despite Jesus' description of the sower being one who simply "went out to sow"(Matt 13:4), we try to pick and choose our good "prospects" for the gospel. We need badly to learn from the examples of New Testament Christians.

New Testament Christians exhibited boldness in the proclamation of God's word. They spoke the word eagerly before councils (Acts 7), idolaters (Acts 17), kings (Acts 26), and bloodthirsty mobs (Acts 22, 18:30). They were beaten (Acts 5:40), laughed at (Acts 2:13, 17:32), called crazy (Acts 26:24), and killed (Acts 7:51-60). Afterward, they prayed, "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word"(Acts 4:29). They kept preaching! They were anxious to be heard because their message was vitally important! It was never a waste of time to preach it, and no one was too important or unimportant to hear it! So they worked hard to teach priests, sorcerers, and proconsuls. We must be bold to start conversations and rebuke false ideas. We must have courage to bring up difficult subjects. Jesus' message remains urgent, and continues to demand boldness from its proclaimers.

Further, a certain optimism characterized the first Christians. What else could explain Stephen's impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin that had killed Jesus (Acts 7) or Paul's attempt to convert the temple mob (Acts 22)? They honestly hoped that those who listened would believe and change. Today many would call them fools who were simply wasting their time. Yet God holds these men up as our examples. This optimism is the same optimism that God had when He said, at Judah's 11th hour, "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way"(Jer 36:3). God had tried and tried to get through to His people, yet still says "it may be" that this rebuke works. We need this same optimism to present the gospel even if it seems no one will ever listen. Jesus commanded "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15), not "Go and preach to everyone you think will listen."

Most of all, the actions of New Testament Christians reveal a faith in the gospel. The reason these men were willing to preach in any situation is they really believed that their teaching had the power to change hearts and save souls. Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek"(Rom 1:16). Paul was not ashamed, even though many disdained what he taught. He told Timothy "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you"(1 Tim 4:16). Paul knew there was saving power in the gospel, and he recommended it to everyone he met. If we really believe the gospel will save, we will, like Paul, be unable to keep quiet. We don't need a preacher, or a church building, or a gospel meeting. The gospel is enough!

Who would've thought it? We're not the best judges of who will become a Christian! We need to be bold enough to speak whatever God's word says. We need to be optimistic, because the gospel has a power that we do not. We need to truly trust that God's word will save those He wants to save. Perhaps by our efforts many "unlikely candidates" will be saved. Who would've thought it?___Jacob Hudgins