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Speaking So They Believe - Acts 14:1
Speaking So They Believe - Acts 14:1
As Paul preached in the synagogue at Iconium, he ‘spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed’ (Acts 14:1). As you read through the rest of Acts, Luke will describe Paul’s preaching as ‘reasoned’, from the Greek word ‘διαλέγομαι’. This Greek word is often translated as ‘reasoned’ or reasoning, but not always. In Acts 20:7, 9 reads that Paul ‘began talking’ and ‘kept on talking’. In Acts 24:12 it is ‘disputing’ (ESV), and “carrying on a discussion” in NASB. In Acts 24:25 it is “discussing” (NASB) and “reasoned” in (ESV).
Let us learn about preaching by looking at Paul’s example.
Manner of speaking: This preaching was not ‘ranting’ and ‘raving’, but logical, organized, persuasive speech. Strong’s defined it as “1 to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought. 1a to ponder, revolve in mind. 2 to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss.” Louw Nida said it is “to speak in a somewhat formal setting and probably implying a more formal use of language—‘to address, to make a speech.’
Content: He reasoned from the Scriptures, “explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ” (Acts 17:2-3). As Paul talked to Agrippa, he reasoned about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come”.
Goal: Paul wrote to Timothy that “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1Tim. 1:5). Such means that the goal is NOT to win the ‘argument’, but to change their minds, to make disciples.
Conduct: As it has been pointed out many times before, one must first believe and practice what he preaches. Thus, the gospel should first change US. Thus, Paul conducted himself “in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God,” (2Cor. 1:12). Paul wrote Timothy that “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2Tim. 2:24-26). Our conduct can open doors of opportunity OR close ears unto our teaching.
These things need to be internalized into our very character before we begin to tell people about Jesus. How are you speaking?
Hugh DeLong
