But it was the fact that all the disciples went everywhere preaching the word on journeys that we have no record or map of that more fully explains how the word ran throughout the world and was glorified by the many who obeyed it (Acts 8:4; 2 Thess 3:1). 

Here are some thoughts on this subject by Tolbert Fanning (1810-1874) from a biography of his life, The Hazard of the Die, by James Wilburn, pages 243-246.  The growth of the pastor system among those claiming to be churches of Christ was greatly disturbing to Fanning.  He opposed the practice not only because it was without Scriptural example but because it damaged the spiritual fervor of the members, who leaning on the “pastor” did not develop their own strength and talents.  Tolbert spoke of “elders” coming to the building and talking only of their merchandise, their banks, their crops, and their stock, while waiting for the appearance of “some youthful Elder or Pastor to take the chief seat in the synagogue and worship God for all the people”.  “This”, he said, “is the state of the case with most of the denominations, Romish and Protestant, and it is getting to be the case with us.” 

Throughout his life Fanning emphasized the need for every member of the local church to be active as a “living stone” in both worship and work.  Too many churches were guilty of what he called “proxy service” where a preacher or perhaps an elder so dominated the church that the members were kept “idle, inactive, and of course, ignorant and spiritless, till the whole moral heart ceases to beat”.  Concerning the responsibility of each member to be involved in the spread of the gospel, Tolbert wrote, “We consider it the privilege and duty of every Christian on earth to preach the good news of life and salvation from the hour of entering the kingdom to the hour of his death”.  

We trace the success of the gospel in Greece not just through the red and green lines on the map which show the track of Paul’s second and third “missionary journeys” but through congregations such as Thessalonica.  The members of the Thessalonian church, being genuinely and thoroughly converted to Christ, demonstrated their faith by sounding forth the word, not only in their city, but throughout their northern region of Macedonia and throughout the southern region of Achaia as well.  Paul said that by doing so they became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (2 Thess 1:5-10). 

Let the Thessalonians serve as an example to us as well.  Just what might be accomplished if we did not leave the work to a few, but each member of the church purposefully and diligently did their individual part to spread the gospel?  There is no geographical limit to whom we may teach or no limit to the far reaching influence of the teaching that we do locally.  Let’s let our faith be known throughout our community, our state, our country and throughout the world.  Truly it is the duty and privilege of every Christian to preach the gospel until the hour of his death.