Koreans: The Bereans of our Time

Towards the close of the nineteenth century South Korean is one of the countries in the world that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ had a remarkable impact and had received overwhelming acceptance nationwide. After the civil war, the country had focused their attention to Almighty God. It was mentioned that attendance in the Sunday service in a church under the leadership of a Minister of God, Dr. (Paul) David Choi and his dynamic 750 ministers of God, may at times, be in the neighborhood of 700,000 believers not to talk of the satellite churches in the suburb. (The humble man of God was known as Paul before he changed his name to David). Of course, we know that it is not the large population of a church that matters but the faithfulness of the church, but one thing had been established in this community of believers is that, all have been brought to the knowledge of Christ. The church have over 200 Prayer Mountains in Seoul alone and about 25,000 Korean believers do attend the church's morning services before embanking on their daily activities just to mention some of their commitments and dedications.

When one of the believers was interviewed recently, about the secret behind this rapid growth among Christian in the country, “we bring the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into our homes and put it on the lamp post for everyone to see,” was his reply. The secret includes early morning prayer, willingness to serve God and their sensitivity to the directives of God according to the Bible. Further, the interview revealed the way they became Christian, the divine transformation in their life style -- the way they were living the gospel life in terms of love and trust which was very close to what we read about at the beginning of Christian age, because of that blessed tie of love that bind each of them together in the Lord. Act 2:44-47. It further revealed how they formed “cell group” for bible study and prayer meeting purposes in their homes. This cell group can be described as mini church in their homes. During the church activities the members of the cell group will join the assembly of believers. When the cell group is fully grown to a certain number of believers, usually 16, it will split into two and will be meeting separately within the same environment until the two new cells will be fully grown for another split. As of today the cell groups has grown up to about 52,000. As a result of this wonderful Christian community development, family friends and loved ones were brought closer to God.

“Go into the world and make disciple of me” is the greatest commission to believers and this holy mission had been blessed ab initio. But the bible did not specify the approach to be used and the classes of people to be made his disciples were not mentioned. Consider the spiritual gifts that God has endowed you for the edification of the church and employ them for this great mission. You may be a great singer, yours may be a gift of care, and yours may be the gift of administration, other a gift of love (agape) or a special way of life as long as the gospel of Jesus Christ can be communicated to others. Turn your rare gifts to bring forth the gospel of Jesus Christ to the loved ones around you. Let the new love you found in the Lord be shared among your parents, brothers and sisters, your husband, wife, friends and the loved ones because they are part of the world out of which Jesus Christ directed you to make His disciples.

At this period of special resolutions, why don't you resolve to bring precious souls to the Lord from this perishing world this New Year, in appreciation of His love for you? His death on the cross of Calvary for mankind must not be in vain. “. . . Berea were more noble . . . in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11) Let us borrow a leaf from the Bereans of our time and approach this issue with all sincerity. Bring the light of the gospel into your home make it bright among your family, it will be an everlasting legacy that no one can take from them. Live it among your friends and neighbors so that they will see the beauty of Jesus Christ in your life and glorify God Almighty.

From the dawn of the morning to close of day,
In example in deeds and in all you say,
Lay your gifts at His feet,
Ever strive to keep sweet,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.
               (Albert W. T. Orsborn, 1916)