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Acts 19 - Paul’s Example In Preaching
Acts 19 - Paul’s Example In Preaching
Here in chapter 19 of Acts, we see the practice of Paul in his preaching the gospel.
“And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:8-10).
To the Jew first, and also the Gentile. We are under the commission to preach the gospel unto every creature, to make disciples in every nation.
Preaching content – the kingdom of God. Jesus preached that the ‘time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand’ (Mark 1:15). We proclaim Jesus is not only the Christ/Messiah but is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. When we obeyed His gospel, we were ‘translated into the kingdom’ (Col. 1:13) and together, as believers, we ARE a kingdom of priests (Rev. 1:6).
Preaching ‘style’ – reasoning and persuading. This was constantly articulated by Luke concerning Paul: Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8, 9; 20:7, 9; 24:25. Such is a far cry from current ideas of ‘preaching’ by diatribe, assertion, intimidation, threats, etc.
Reaction: some were hardened, disobedient, and responded not with reasoned arguments but slander and evil speaking. We can do no better at presenting the gospel of Jesus than did Paul. If he encountered such rejection, we can expect the same. As Israel of old rejected God from being their king (1 Sam. 8:7), so they rejected Jesus as their king.
This went on for TWO years. Such is the nature of patience and endurance. Many of us (most? All?) did not respond positively to the gospel the first time we heard it. We can be thankful that WE were not just dismissed and written off as a lost cause.
There is much to learn from Paul not only about the gospel but about presenting our message to an unbelieving word. Are you following the example that he set for us?
Hugh DeLong
