Act 28
Bible Passage: Acts 28
This is the 3rd time blogs are written on Acts. Acts 28 being the last chapter of Acts by default means a summary for a blog writer. Much encouragement and sharing was made in the book of Acts and I have been much edified reading them. I shall not reiterate them or summarize them like in the past blogs but rather I shall leave something for all of us to ponder.
The Book of Acts is not only about the transforming power and works of the Holy Spirit but also a documentary on the evangelical work done by the apostles and disciples. Much emphasis has been made on evangelism and there is a strong reason for it as it was emphasized from the 1st chapter till the last chapter.
Evangelism is a word that can be annoying to outsiders and perhaps to some in church. Some outsiders when they hear the words ‘evangelism’, ‘evangelistic’ or ‘preach’ will automatically distance themselves by shutting the door or running away; to play down this word when we talk to these outsiders, we use the word ‘share’ instead. However, evangelism is vital and an important commission from Jesus. What are the push factors of evangelism? I am sure there are many reasons why believers want to avoid doing evangelism and these reasons would probably be longer than this blog. 😛
During the apostles time they too had reasons to not do evangelism. Reasons like low education (Peter is a fisherman), fear for life, no talents, Jewish and gentiles segregation, persecutions, hunger, long hours of work, loss of religious status in the synagogues, labeled a Sect, being unpopular, no convenient transportation etc.
What pulled these believers to evangelize then? What motivated them to evangelize amidst persecutions and death? I would think it boils down to these two words – Faith and Love. Firstly they had faith in Jesus’ second coming and believed that He will be coming soon and that catalyst them to preach urgently far and wide. They had faith in Jesus’ promise of a better place in heaven and that gave them the confidence to face sufferings and persecutions. Secondly, they loved Jesus with all their hearts and souls because it was Jesus who first loved them and granted them His Grace of forgiveness of sins. Paul testified frequently his faith in Jesus and the mercy that he had received. Lastly, their love for mankind compelled them to preach and expound the Truth. Having the belief of Judgment Day, the believers then did their best to deliver the Truth that saves.
How about us today? Do we believe with deep conviction the coming of Christ and His coming is near? Do we truly believe and wait in anticipation of the Sabbath rest in heaven? Do we deem heaven as a pearl more precious than all the riches on earth? Do we remember the great love of Jesus constantly and does our love for Him motivate us to repay back this infinite debt we owe? Do we count and testify the blessings we received from Jesus or are we out of words with regards to the blessings we received? Are we still entrenched in our self-centeredness and are not willing to share with others the love of Jesus? Lastly, are there hindrances in our love to the people in our lives, which prevent us from doing our utmost best to save them from the lake of fire?
Paul goes to the extreme and even says woe to him if he does not preach!
“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16)
Are we motivated or to even a higher degree compelled to evangelize? May we examine our faith and love in Christ and learn from the apostolic church.
4 Comments
depress one
I like how Book of Act ends. Even though Paul reaches his destination but he never cease to receive anyone that is willing to listen to his rented house. It is just like D2D but the other way round, where people comes to him to listen to God’s word.
I agree with blogger that
“Evangelism is a word that can be annoying to outsiders and perhaps to some in church. Some outsiders when they hear the words ‘evangelism’, ‘evangelistic’ or ‘preach’ will automatically distance themselves by shutting the door or running away”
And i think Paul also explains why in this bible passage:
“ Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed, ”
Therefore, we have keep check our ears and heart.
Treasureinearthenvessel
I have not been able to do my daily bible reading properly but I still tried to keep up with the rest of you by reading from my iPhone over breakfast etc 🙂
I just want to note that… as I read the last words of Acts, I can’t help but feel a sense of ….. I don’t know the word for it, maybe
incompleteness?
or a cliff hanger?
or what my guitar school teach me, a journey chord?
I was having my breakfast this morning while I read the last chapter of Acts and somehow I didn’t feel quite right, as though there was no closure and I didn’t know how to feel about it, but because I was rushing to work, I didn’t think so much.
However, I am thinking now about it again, and I realised that it really is a journey chord (a journey chord, when played, suggests continuity) that has been strumming in my head.
We are not quite at home yet (there is also a home chord which is usually the ending of a song); the journey still continues.
I thought about whatever happened to Paul, this great evangelist? But I realised it is not important. What is important is whether we continue this journey today.
This journey which the first church began, and the apostles started on, are we, the true church today, also walking on it?
biblereadingcompanion
Finishing the book of Acts leaves me with a bitter-sweet taste.
The sweetness comes once again from reading about how the Gospel of Jesus was spread from Jerusalem, to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And also how we Gentiles have now a part of this salvation grace of God.
I remember back in the late 70s when I first did an in depth study of Acts during the Theolo… the stories found in Acts inspired a lot of us to want to do great things for the church and the progress of the Gospel.
The bitterness comes from realizing that some 30 over years later, many of the aspirations still remain as aspirations….
The grand plans we had for Jesus and His Word… though some things were done… I think if we are honest to ourselves, many, many more things were left undone.
Paul and the other apostles and disciples in Acts serves as very good examples for us to follow.
As Treasureinearthenvessel asked… the apostles started on the journey towards the heavenly kingdom…. are we still walking on the same journey? Or have we now left our Godly aspirations and moved on to other worldly ones?
Paul always fixed his eyes on Jesus and his calling.
I always love reading what Paul said in Phil 3:12-14….
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Whatever state we are in now… whatever we have done or NOT done in the past… let us now forget those things that lie behind and once again, press toward the goal that Jesus has set for us.
So if we have slack in our Bible reading… let’s pick it up again. If we have faltered in our prayers…. let’s get those knees bended. If we have not showed love and concern for our fellow brethren… pick up that phone or make it a point to look out for those in need…. the list goes on….
During my theolo days, one of our favourite songs was “My One Aspiration” – taken off a Christian musical called “The Apostle”. The words of Paul put to music certainly struck a chord in many of us and on hearing it once again… it reminded me of my aspiration for the Lord.
May He renew our zeal for Him!
PS
Paul took the initiative to set up a meeting with the leaders of the Jews to explain to them the reason why he was in Rome.
He also explained that he had nothing of which to accuse his nation and his brothers, fellow Jews.
This is an honest and admirable act worthy of imitation.
After Paul prevented their misunderstanding, he immediately shared with them the hope of Israel. (Acts 28:20)
Although the words against Paul had yet to reach Rome, the Christianity Sect was “spoken against everywhere”.
If Paul did not preach, these Jews would loose the chance to their salvation, not merely bec they did not hear the gospel of life, they had heard an erroneous message.
Today, we are also to explain and solemnly testify of the kingdom of God from the bible. (Acts 28:23)
The way of God is indeed higher than man’s way.
God set up a church for Paul to preach the kingdom of God and teach the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ for 2 years, no one forbidding him.
This is indeed a peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
At the same time, Paul had never been deterred by his circumstance in his service to Lord Jesus. No tribulation, no distress, no persecution, no famine, no nakedness, no peril, no sword could deter him.
In all confidence Paul preached Lord Jesus Christ.
(This is the irony, today my deterrence is also not tribulation, not distress, not persecution, not famine, not nakedness, not peril, not sword, but peace and prosperity, career advancement and pride.)