![]() ![]() All of which was without shame or embarrassment. He declared the resurrection of Jesus Christ to kings, and others in authority. He taught the poor and rich, men and women, Jew and Gentile. He preached the Good News of Christ to Jews and Gentiles alike, regardless of their economic or social standing. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). Like he did in other places, he spoke of the resurrection, “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. At one point he stood in the middle of the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, and preached to them. For example, in Athens he conversed with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17:18). He may have still taught in the synagogues, but many who heard him were not of the children of Israel. Later the apostle journeyed to even more nations. In this instance, both verses 30 and 33 refer to Jesus’ resurrection. 32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus…” (Acts 13:29-33a). 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. Near the end of the sermon he explicitly mentions Jesus’ death and resurrection, “When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. From the text, we learn that he spoke to not only Jews, but Gentiles as well (Acts 13:26). During his first missionary journey, he and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia. Jews were not the only ones who heard the word of the Good News at the mouth of the apostle Paul. As the days continue, he “…increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ” (Acts 9:22). He then spent several days with the disciples in the city, and “Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). After he saw the Lord on the road to Damascus he was immersed by Ananias (Acts 9:1-6, 17-18). He went on many missionary journeys and preached the Good News to a wide variety of people. By studying the Book of Acts, we find confirmation that he, indeed, was not ashamed. Near the beginning he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek” (Rom. In Paul’s letter to the Romans we find a direct answer to whether we should share the gospel, or not. The Apostle Paul was a masterful preacher, and wielded the Sword of the Spirit with great skill. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |