February 16, 2011

Reading for February 14-18
Acts 19:1-22
Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey
Wednesday

Can Anyone Be Argued or Reasoned into Faith in Jesus?

“Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing/reasoning persuasively about the Kingdom of God” Acts 19:8(NLT)(NASB )

Pastor’s Reflection

Have you noticed throughout the book of Acts that the Gospel is not simply proclaimed but that reasons for belief – both personal and intellectual- are given as well?

Internationally recognized theologian John Stott writes this,

“Because Paul believed the Gospel to be true, he was not afraid to engage the minds of his hearers. He did not simply proclaim his message in a 'take it or leave it' fashion: instead he marshaled arguments to support and demonstrate his case . What he renounced in Corinth (see 1 Cor 1 and 2) was the wisdom, the premises of the world, not the wisdom of God, and rhetoric of the of the Greeks, not the use of arguments . . . We must never set . . .trust in the Holy Spirit over against . . arguments . . as alternatives. No, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, and he brings people to faith in Jesus not in spite of the evidence, but because of the evidence when he opens their minds to attend to it.

I think it is very, very important for every Chistian to know everything they can about the Truth of the Christian Faith so that we can communicate it accurately and intelligibly to others living in world that increasingly just can’t comprehend the things of God. Here’s an important teaching from the Apostle Peter.

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)