Gossip is defined as ‘casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true’ and as such, is often condemned in the Bible (Prov 11:13, Prov 20:19, Prov 26:22). When we gossip, we usually talk about people (often in critical or destructive ways) and do not necessarily speak the truth, passing on rumour and supposition as fact. Gossip can be hurtful and leaves us wary and suspicious of people, unable to talk freely because we are not sure if a person can be trusted.
The term ‘gossipping the gospel’ does not refer to this kind of gossip, but means the passing on of the gospel by ordinary people through simple conversation. It’s a reminder that whilst the apostles (especially Peter, John and Paul) may have been responsible for many of the speeches in Acts, the spread of the gospel was not down to one or two ‘learned’ people.
The gospel spread partly as a result of persecution and opposition. Stephen was the first Christian martyr and ‘on that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.’ (Acts 8:1) What was undoubtedly the cause of great sorrow to the church actually became the springboard to great growth, for ‘those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.’ (Acts 8:4) Throughout Acts, we see that there was opposition and persecution (Acts 4:2-3, Acts 5:17-18, Acts 9:1, Acts 12:1-2, Acts 13:50, Acts 14:5, 19, Acts 16:16-40, Acts 17:5, Acts 18:12 etc.), but in all these instances, ‘opposition becomes an occasion for evangelism.’ (L. Howard Marshall, P 29)
Persecution is never seen as the ultimate deterrent for Christians. Jesus Himself taught His disciples ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ (Matthew 5:11-12) Paul told Timothy, ‘everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ (2 Tim 3:12) Trials are to be welcomed with joy (James 1:1-3); they refine our faith. (1 Pet 1:7)
Whatever comes our way, we can be like the early Christians who preached the word wherever they went. They gossipped the gospel. They told their stories of what Jesus had said and done. We too can do the same – on the cancer ward, in the gym, at the shops, at work, wherever we find ourselves. Ps 107:2 says ‘let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.’ Evangelism isn’t for the select few, Acts teaches us. It’s for everyone, and even in inauspicious circumstances!