“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.” (Acts 13:16)
Bible Reading: Acts 13:13-25
From Cyprus, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark travelled north to the mainland of Asia (modern Turkey) to a place called Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
From there, they moved on to Antioch in Pisidia where they entered the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day and were given the opportunity to speak “a word of encouragement” to the people (v. 15). Luke records for us what Paul said that day. Along with Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, it is the fullest record we have of early apostolic preaching to Jews.
It begins with a rehearsal of Israel’s history. Paul knows this is a safe place to begin, a place where his listeners will feel familiar and comfortable. He recalls how the “God of Israel” had chosen their fathers, made them great during their stay in Egypt, put up with them for forty years in the wilderness, and eventually given them the land of Canaan for an inheritance (vs. 15-19).
He then mentions that God gave them judges for a time before the people asked him for a king. In response, God gave them Saul for forty years, before “removing him” and giving them David, of whom he said, “I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (v. 22).
Having arrived at David in his historical sketch, Paul signals the intent of his message. “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised” (v. 23). It is Christ he wants to proclaim, and King David provides the launching pad for him to do so. But before declaring the salvation that God has provided in Christ, he first mentions how he provided a forerunner in John the Baptist (v. 24). John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel but had maintained steadily that he was not the one (the Messiah) that they were looking for (v. 25).
From these things, we can gain insight into how Paul approached evangelising the Jews. He typically chose a time and place where he knew that he could meet with them and likely be given an opportunity to speak to them. Furthermore, when that opportunity did arise, he began by identifying with them on familiar ground – the history of their common ancestors. It was only when he had established a strong link with them and gained their confidence that he ventured to introduce his real subject, the coming of Jesus, the Saviour.
We can learn from the apostle in our own attempts to share the gospel. Like Paul, we need to look for people whose background or circumstances might make them open to the gospel. When we find them, we need to respect them and seek to meet with them where they are at.
Finding these opportunities may not be easy in a secular culture, but they are there if we patiently wait for them and prayerfully seek them.
Closing Thoughts:
- Are you actively looking for people who might be open to the gospel?
- Do you typically meet them where they are at?