Today in our study of Acts we look at a topic that makes a
lot of Christians skittish – evangelism.
How did the early church practice
evangelism?
Get out your Bible and let’s start by reading our text
together. Acts 14.
Vs. 1 of Acts chapter 14 teaches us that they did it
together.
Our first clue to the early church’s practice of evangelism
in the city was the third, fourth and fifth word of vs. 1: Paul AND Barnabas.
The evangelism and discipleship work that we are being called to is always an
“and,” a team perspective, shared work rather solo work.
One of the critical elements of discipleship and evangelism
in the early church, actually the whole Christian life, is that believers did
things together. They ate together, prayed together, sang together, shared with
each other and proclaimed the good news together. The strategy of the disciples,
set forth by Jesus, was to never go it alone. That’s what Jesus taught them
while he was on earth and sent them out in pairs (Luke 10:1-2). That’s what
Paul and Barnabas bear witness here.
Henri Nouwen writes about the
importance of Jesus sending out disciples two by two: “I need my brothers or
sisters to pray with me, to speak with me about the spiritual task at hand, and
to challenge me to stay pure in mind, heart and body. But far more importantly,
it is Jesus who heals, not I; Jesus who speaks words of truth, not I; Jesus who
is Lord, not I. This is very clearly made visible when we proclaim the
redeeming power of God together. Indeed, whenever we minister together, it is
easier for people to recognize that we do not come in our name, but in the name
of the Lord Jesus who sent us.” (41)
Who is your “and”? Who do you have to pray with you, to
speak to you about spiritual things, to spur you on in your Christian walk and
sharing the gospel. This next week, I want to encourage you to share your experience,
your own story of coming to faith, and encourage one another. And if you are by
yourself – you have an “and” right now. We are your “and.” Reach out. Let
people know of your need. We will gather around you with phone calls, zoom
meetings, in prayer.
In Acts 14 we see that they did it as human beings who
suffer.
But what’s also important is that these two don’t simply do
it together but practice evangelism as human beings – not as gods, not as super
heroes, nor as gurus or cult-leaders. By the way, that’s harder than you might
realize. We love to make gods. I imagine many of us are like these unbelievers.
Maybe you’re thinking: “I can’t evangelize. I’m no Billy Graham.” “I can’t
share the gospel. I could never be as articulate as Francis Chan.” And Billy and
Francis would come running out and saying, “No, we’re human beings just like
you.” To bear witness to the gospel as a human being is to do so knowing that
God gives power to human beings. Miracles are wonderful when they happen – but
that’s God’s work we learn in Acts 14:3. Our work is to bear witness of a good
God and God’s grace even amidst the struggle of life. You don’t have to be a
superhero, friends. Just be human – and in your humanness, like the Apostle
Paul, you will suffer and even experience rejection but don’t lose heart.
That’s why we need each other now more than ever. How does Paul go back into
the same city that stoned him? And now it’s time for Greek of the Week.
In vs. 20 – Paul’s goes back after being stoned because the “disciples gathered
around him” (vs. 20). That word κυκλωσάντων is
a strong word – it means to fully encircle on all sides. It’s different from
the word in vs. 27 which means “assembled.” It’s what pack animals due to
protect the young or sick from predators. Why is this important? I believe it’s
because such encircling that gives hope! We need to be giving each other a dose
of hope at this time. And that will be a powerful witness to unbelievers and
encourage us to share the gospel.
TAKE A MOMENT: Who is it that you and your Barnabas
or others need to “gather around”? Perhaps you should give them a call. Or,
write a note with all your free time in quarantine. Consider praying for
someone or giving thanks for them. If you find yourself, alone, afraid,
“dragged” out of the city, we’re here for you. Let me know. We are physically
isolated but not spiritually so and I want to encourage you to encircle one
another at this time so that we can tell our city the good news. What are ways
we can encircle one another right now?
3. They did it in a “usual” place, vs. 1 “At Iconium Paul
and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue”. They chose the
synagogue because they had an instant connection there to the place and its
people. Where is your usual place? What’s a particular space and people that
you connect with?
In the show Cheers, every episode featured a lovable character
named Norm, who upon entry into the bar would be received with a shout of his
name, “Norm!” Those are the places where evangelism happen best. Not on some
street corner waiving a sign that the “end is near” though tell me you haven’t
thought about it. No, the best place to evangelize is the place where everyone
knows your name and you know theirs. You know how they think, what they need,
what they know, and they know you. What might be a “usual” place where God
wants you to share the gospel?
Acts 14 illustrates that they did it through word and
deed. I know that boldly speaking is not “in” right now. It’s not very
couth to speak passionately per se and for many of us we’ve grown wary of such speech
which often seems more of a license for hatred, anger, fear, and ignorance. And
so we’ve told ourselves that evangelism through acts of mercy is the way
forward. Friends, there is nothing wrong with good deeds of mercy in the name
of Jesus. Like the healing of the man in Lystra, works of mercy are critical to
the good news of Jesus Christ BUT from the perspective of the early church they
are not enough. In Acts 14 and elsewhere there is no good work that isn’t
boldly explained and effectively communicated. The do-gooder must also be a
good explainer. Our boldness is not for spreading fear on Facebook nor a social
rant but for the “message of his grace” (14:3, 26), a message of healing
(“Stand up on your feet!,” vs. 10), a message of God’s love through his son
Jesus Christ who died and rose again and conquered death and sin. It’s a
message of love that God has come and done for us what we can’t do for
ourselves. I know we live in a challenging world and where we as Christians
aren’t always looked too kindly on. And let’s face it. Sometimes we deserve it.
But be bold with this: God loves people graciously and has made a way. Who’s
one person that you can share that with? Maybe it starts with a simple God
loves you to a person you know in your usual place, an invitation to church, a
simple sharing of your story of faith.
TAKE A MOMENT: What are helpful ways that you have found to
share the gospel?
They did it by seeing, vs. 9. Evangelism is about
learning to see others. The gospel trains us to be attentive to the needs of
others.
Mother Theresa once said, “I want you to be concerned about your next
door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?” Do you see them? I have to
admit I’m not great. But what a simple thing to do – be attentive to others. Like
the Apostle Paul in vs. 9 we must be on the look out for those who long to be
healed. What might be some new ways of looking and seeing?
Vs. 27 reminds us that the early church didn’t do
evangelism. God did it through them.
To practice evangelism is to recognize that there is no
place where God is not already at work. That God is being compassionate already
to a people that might not know him, might not even believe. God is the one who
has accomplished the gospel, who does the saving, who inspires the words, who
enables power for healing.
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