The term "widespread" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of something being extensive or far-reaching is present throughout the Scriptures. This entry explores the biblical themes and instances where the idea of being widespread is evident, particularly in the context of influence, sin, and the spread of the Gospel.

Influence and Reach

The Bible often speaks of influence and reach in terms of God's sovereignty and the spread of His kingdom. In Psalm 72:8, the psalmist declares, "May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth." This verse reflects the widespread dominion of the Messianic King, whose reign is prophesied to extend over all the earth, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of God's rule.

Similarly, the influence of God's Word is described as widespread. Isaiah 55:11 states, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." This passage emphasizes the pervasive and effective nature of God's Word, which reaches and transforms lives across the globe.

Sin and Its Pervasiveness

The concept of sin as a widespread condition is a recurring theme in the Bible. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse underscores the universal nature of sin, affecting every individual and highlighting the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

The account of Noah and the flood in Genesis 6-9 illustrates the widespread corruption and wickedness of humanity. Genesis 6:5 notes, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This passage depicts the extensive reach of sin, which led to God's judgment through the flood.

The Spread of the Gospel

The New Testament presents the spread of the Gospel as a central theme, with Jesus commissioning His disciples to make disciples of all nations. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

The Book of Acts records the early church's efforts to spread the Gospel message. Acts 1:8 states, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This verse highlights the geographical and cultural expansion of the Gospel, which was to be proclaimed to all corners of the world.

The Apostle Paul played a significant role in the widespread dissemination of the Gospel. His missionary journeys, as recorded in Acts and his epistles, demonstrate the extensive reach of the Christian message. In Romans 15:19, Paul writes, "By the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum."

Conclusion

The concept of being widespread in the Bible encompasses the far-reaching influence of God's kingdom, the pervasive nature of sin, and the global spread of the Gospel. These themes reflect the overarching narrative of Scripture, which reveals God's desire for His truth and salvation to reach every corner of the earth.(a.) Spread to a great distance; widely extended; extending far and wide; as, widespread wings; a widespread movement.

The Recovery and Revival of the Blessed Hope Itself.
... The result of this earnest and widespread study of prophecy is seen in the increased
devotion and consecration of God's people""many shall be purified and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 the recovery and revival.htm

Modern Revivals
... It is true that a widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there
are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 27 modern revivals.htm

Progress of Calvinism
... The Renaissance ideas, so widespread on the other side of the Alps, had made their
way into France, where they found favour with some of the university ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

Mr. Beecher in England
... contingent, could be." Even the Emancipation Proclamation did not suffice to open
the eyes of many to the real issues, and there was a widespread feeling that ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/mr beecher in england.htm

How a Certain Person in Ireland was Restored, when at the Point of ...
... "At the time," said he, "of the plague which made such widespread havoc in Britain
and Ireland, among others, a certain scholar of the Scottish race was ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiii how a certain.htm

Mrs. Hsi's Gift
... the evangelisation of his native province, some means might be devised whereby the
treatment of opium patients might be combined with widespread preaching of ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter i mrs hsis gift.htm

A Work of Reform
... Many urged that Sundaykeeping had been an established doctrine and a
widespread custom of the church for many centuries. Against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 26 a work of.htm

Huss and Jerome
... people. Their labors excited widespread interest. ... interdict. In that age this
sentence, whenever pronounced, created widespread alarm. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

The Outbreak of the Arian Controversy. The Attitude of Eusebius.
... It is impossible to explain such widespread and continued condemnation of him by
acknowledging only that there are many expressions in his works which are in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/section 5 the outbreak of.htm

'Time for Thee to Work'
... modesty. But it has a basis of truth in the widespread disbelief diffused
through the literary and so-called cultivated classes. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/time for thee to work.htm

Widespread (2 Occurrences)
... (a.) Spread to a great distance; widely extended; extending far and wide; as,
widespread wings; a widespread movement. ...Widespread (2 Occurrences). ...
/w/widespread.htm - 7k

Atheism
... Especially is this true of the 18th century a period of widespread skepticism-when
not a few, particularly in France, professed themselves atheists. ...
/a/atheism.htm - 13k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... described in Zechariah 1:12 is explicable before 621 and after the death of Josiah
in 608, but not between 621 and 608, when religious enthusiasm was widespread...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Hammurabi
... The reading with initial "b" in the second element is confirmed by the Babylonian
rendering of the name as Kimta-rapastum, "my family is widespread," or the ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Golden (86 Occurrences)
... The origin of animal worship is hidden in obscurity, but reverence for the bull
and cow is found widespread among the most ancient historic cults. ...
/g/golden.htm - 66k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... SACRIFICE, HUMAN. hu'-man: As an expression of religious devotion, human sacrifice
has been widespread at certain stages of the race's development. ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Calf (39 Occurrences)
... The origin of animal worship is hidden in obscurity, but reverence for the bull
and cow is found widespread among the most ancient historic cults. ...
/c/calf.htm - 49k

Human (133 Occurrences)
... SACRIFICE, HUMAN. hu'-man: As an expression of religious devotion, human sacrifice
has been widespread at certain stages of the race's development. ...
/h/human.htm - 41k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... and solemn warning; and Nehemiah again returned from Persia (after an absence of
some two years), and was grieved to see the widespread moral degeneracy that ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Oath (286 Occurrences)
... life (Genesis 24:37; Genesis 50:5 Judges 21:5 1 Kings 18:10 Ezra 10:5). The Mosaic
laws concerning oaths were not meant to limit the widespread custom of ...
/o/oath.htm - 47k

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