Since all who became disciples also became preachers of the Word, the good news spread rapidly, and by the time Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians (c. 60-61 C.E. or about 27 years after Christ’s death), he could speak of the good news
“which was preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Col 1:23)
Hence, Christ’s prophecy of the
‘preaching of the good news in all the nations’
saw a certain fulfilment prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E. (Mt 24:14; Mr 13:10) Jesus’ own words, as well as the book of Revelation, written after that destruction, point to a greater fulfilment of this prophecy at the time of Christ’s beginning to exercise Kingdom rule and preliminary to the destruction of all adversaries of that Kingdom, a logical time for a great heralding work to be accomplished. The world having to come to face many not interested in God but others truthful and faithful keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ on their lips. In the coming times, people shall have to know that salvation, strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, shall be be cast down. We shall be able to witness that the accuser of God has come to many places here on earth to get as many away from the Only One True God, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah Who is One, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time left. (Re 12:7-12, 17; 14:6, 7; 19:5, 6; 22:17.
The time becoming shorter real lovers of God know that it becomes more urgent to save other souls. Out of love they should witness to others about the possibility to being saved from the curse of death. Therefore, today people can find more people witnessing on the net, by social media and in blogs. By preaching on the net the preacher can get into the home of many people across the world.
In Jesus’ time the master teacher went right to the people with the Kingdom message, teaching them publicly and in their homes. (Mt 5:1; 9:10, 28, 35) When Jesus sent out his early disciples to preach, he directed them:
“Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving.” (Mt 10:7, 11-14)
5 These twelve Yahushua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matt 10:5-7, NRKJV)
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matt 10:16-20, NRKJV)
Out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21) the apostles and disciples had to go more to places where the Truth about God was not known yet. Being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose, the lovers of god should try to reach those who do not know God. they should go out teaching not out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility considering others superior to themselves. (Php 2:2-3). Paul wrote:
Phil 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in the Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Phil 2:1-4, NRKJV)
Looking at the things of others, followers of Christ had to show that Jesus is the Way to God and deliver his gospel message. Their ‘searching out’ would reasonably include going to the people’s homes, where “deserving” persons would heed the message and the disciples would find lodging for the night.
Luke 9
1 Then he {יהושע/Jeshua/Jesus} called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of יהוה, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:1-6, NRKJV)
On a later occasion Jesus
“designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come.”
These were not just to preach in public places but were also to contact people at their homes. Jesus instructed them:
“Wherever you enter into a house say first,
‘May this house have peace.’” (Lu 10:1-7.)
That peace giving should be first on the lips. Every presentation of the Good News has to be accompanied by the right attitude of peace, and not by condemning people or by bringing fear over them.
Bullying and beating did not stop the followers of Christ continuing to tell others about Christ Jesus and his heavenly Father. The ketp they glorifying God, and ceased no day from preaching, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yahushua, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Yahushua the Messiah. (Acts 5:40-42, NRKJV) {or 42 And every day in the temple and from house to house+ they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.+ (NWT)}{42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they ceased not teaching and preaching good news, Jesus, the Christ. (ACV)}
The expression “from house to house” translates the Greek katʼ oiʹkon, literally, “according to house”; the sense of the Greek preposition ka·taʹ is distributive (“from house to house”) and not merely adverbial (‘at home’). This method of reaching people — going directly to their homes — brought outstanding results.
“The number of the disciples kept multiplying in Jerusalem very much.”
even priests from the synagogue coming to understand that this Nazarene man who was impaled is the Messiah. But many others did not want those disciples to continue to spread the message of their rebbe. (— Ac 6:7; compare 4:16, 17 and 5:28). In the first century those men talking about Jesus the Messiah as the one to follow, were called and ordered not to say anything at all or to teach on the basis of the name of Jesus. But in reply Peter and John indicated that people best had to listen to God. They found they could not stop speaking about the things they had witnessed over those few years they were with their Nazarene master teacher.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Kepha, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yahushua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom יהוה raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Kepha and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Yahushua. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Yahushua. 19 But Kepha and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of Elohim to hearken unto you more than unto יהוה, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified יהוה for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to יהוה with one accord, and said, יהוה, thou art Elohim, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against יהוה, and against his Messiah. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Yahushua, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, יהוה, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Yahushua. (Acts 4:5-30, NRKJV)
Even when they got so many people against their preaching, the apostles continued to go from one place to another, as an example to their disciples but also as an example to us in these days. With great power they conitnued to giave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone needy among them; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and placed them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Many today can learn from that.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Master Yahushua: and great favour was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NRKJV)
Their activities with their dicussions and search for witnessing for Jehovah and His only begotten son, is written down in the Book of books as an example for those who would be born and come after them.
It is not because we are so many centuries later we should not make any work to get people to know God. Today it is even more importatn that people come to know the Name of God and to know His purpose with us. We do not say
everybody should go from door to door
or saying
this knocking at every door would be the best way to preach.
Going from house to house might still be a good way to reach people, but we think that today there are much better ways, giving us even more opportunities to reach people in their living room or closed house.
+
Preceding
From those preaching the Gospel and Baptism in Jesus name
The Most Appropriate teacher and Scoffers in our contemporary age
Making proclamation as a herald
When a day of darkness and of gloominess shall come
Preaching Christ not done to isolate him in the minds of their listeners
++
Additional reading
- More than just a man with authority of speaking
- Matthew 9:35-38 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Preaching Tour in a Great Harvest
- Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil
- Testify of the things heard
- Bringing Good News into the world
- It is a free will choice
- Apple of Gods eye
- Not withholding the Good News
- Witnessing Glad Tidings
- Church has to grow through witness, not by proselytism
- Church sent into the world
- Which Christians Actually Evangelize
- Which Christian sect is the only true Christian church?
- When a person looks for or has the need to Choose the Right Church
- Dave Norris and his writings on the Belgian Bible Students
- Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses preach?
- Russia’s battle against the Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Soviet Witnesses
- Witnessing at LaGuardia Airport
- Autumn traditions for 2014 – 4 Blasphemy and ridiculing faith in God
- Today’s thought “When approaching the battle against your enemies today” (May 03)
- 129 years of Glad Tidings
- Helping websites to prepare for the last days
- Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket
- Even with a few gathering
- Small churches of the few Christadelphians
+++
Further related
- The fulness of the time
- Here Am I…Send Me!
- What is Your heart Crowded With?
- Oh, to Have Senses Like Helen Keller!
- Listen and Obey
- A Personal Christ
- Why We Need the New Battle for the Bible
- Preaching… Revealing His Word As He Commands….
- Who Would Dare Preach As Jesus Preached
- A Perfect Inheritance
- “Preach The Gospel At All Times, And If Necessary, Use Words.”
- Practice What You Preach
- An Unpopular Preacher
- Russia: Religious literature banned and blocked
- Philippians 1:15-18: “Christ Is Preached and I Therein Do Rejoice”
- Today’s Verse : Acts 28:31
- Today’s Verse for 01/23/2013
- March 18 No need for fishing poles, hooks, line or sinkers. All we need to go fishing is the desire to help others find the salvation, restoration, forgiveness, mercy, grace, peace, and joy that we have found through our relationship with the Lord. + Even today, Jesus Christ extends an invitation to each one of us to join the longest, most productive fishing expedition in the history of mankind. He invites us to join Him in throwing out the fishing line of the Word of God that has the hook of truth tied on the end and is baited with the promise of salvation.
- July 5 There are still individuals “blazing trails” in the wilderness as they fan the flames of faith by spreading the word of God in remote places of the world that are not unlike the rugged, untamed country faced by the Donner party. These men and women are determined to bring the word of God to as many individuals as they possibly can and work tirelessly in less-than-ideal conditions to follow the same instructions that Jesus gave to His disciples before ascending into heaven: “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15 KJV).
- August 6 We may think that we are not knowledgeable enough to be a messenger for Christ, but if we have studied the Bible and listened to our church leaders; if we have opened our eyes, our minds, and our hearts; if we have truly accepted the gift of salvation, we will amaze ourselves at the depth of our knowledge and the height of our willingness and ability to share with others that which brings us so much joy.
- August 9 The Apostle Paul not only ministered to people that he met in his travels, he spent a lot of time teaching them to minister to others. + Part of our responsibilities as members of this army is to help enlist others as well. In order to accomplish this, we must do many things, just as Paul taught. One important thing to remember is to never present a know-it-all attitude. Another is to be friendly and easy to approach.
- August 13 Teaching another person about Christ is one of the greatest things that we can do while on this earth. Unfortunately, so many of us think that our knowledge is too limited to be of much use to another person.
- December 28 After Christ rose from the dead, spent time with His followers, and then ascended to heaven, His apostles went out to do exactly as Christ wanted. + As we show others how to change their lives for the better, they too will become additional voices to hear, and examples to follow. + It should come as no surprise that there is a resolution in this message. It is a resolution to help others by guiding them to the light, and to the life, that is found in Jesus Christ. + By making – and keeping – a resolution to spread the Good News and to live in a manner that is in accordance with God’s will, our own lives will be filled with so much joy, peace, contentment, and love that every other aspect of our daily existence will be blessed.
- Today’s Meditation
- Reaching Rome
- preaching born of a broken heart
- Christian Testimonies – I Have Seen God’s Blessings in Spreading the Gospel by Relying on Him
- Eternal Praise and Thankfulness to God
- Salt of the Earth
- Proactive Prayer
- The Harvest
- Vacancy Announcement
Unmasking anti Jehovah sites and people 
12 thoughts on “From house to house #1: Not ceasing to Preach daily in the temple and in every house”