Gospel

 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:10 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.16.10.ESV

This verse, and its context, goes a long way to explaining why Christianity has had so much influence in Europe, the West and the world. Paul and company were thinking to spread the gospel east, into Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them. God had other ideas.

Paul then saw a vision of a Macedonian man pleading with him to help them. He wasn't slow to obey this heavenly sign. Instead, he immediately made plans to go.

Not only Macedonia, but Greece and the entire eastern Roman Empire was reached by the gospel by the end of the new testament. Traders will have taken the good news even further by then as well. The gospel spread not by military might but by divine power.

We mustn't become complacent. Europe has largely forgotten the gospel. Every successive generation needs to be reminded of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

'Dear Lord, how we praise You for bringing the good news to us. May we share the gospel with others, until You call us home. In Christ's name, amen'

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