We continue with the series of articles “Learn to evangelize with the Apostle Paul”. Was it adapted from the e-book? By John Crotts, available for free download. In this article, Crotts continues to explain how Paulo’s point strategy was applied to Bereia’s most receptive audience.
But as soon as the Jews of Thessaloniki knew that the word of God had also been proclaimed by Paul in Bereia, they went there to excite and disturb the people (Acts 17. 13).
- Until the arrival of the Jews of Thessaloniki.
- It seemed that the unbeliever Jews of Bereia had not yet become hostile or antagonistic against Paul and Silas.
- These opponents of truth had been very successful in their efforts to agitate in their homeland.
- So they decided to use the same strategy as before.
- They tried to recreate the circumstances that led to Paul’s expulsion from Thessaloniki.
Then the brothers promoted Paul’s departure to the sea without delay, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. Paul’s leaders took him to Athens and returned, bringing order to Silas and Timothy so that, as soon as possible, they would go home (Acts 17:14-15).
The new Berber Christians did not wait for the crowd to go crazy, they immediately sent the preacher out of town and into the sea, and because Paulo was at the center of the attack, it was essential to take him out of the eye of the storm. Immediately.
Silas, Paul’s friend, and perhaps Timothy, left Thessaloniki with Paul when he had to flee in a hurry (Timothy may have followed him later). In this case, however, Silas and Timteo remained in Bereia. The nascent church needed the food, training, and care these faithful men could provide.
From the coast, Paulo traveled about 240 km south to Athens. It seems that he was taken there by some of his new Berean brothers in the Lord. They accompanied him personally to Athens, although he had certainly received masterful training in the gospel. Paul’s last instruction was for Timothy and Silas to join him as soon as possible. Lucas doesn’t tell us when or how the couple found him again in Athens, but apparently they did at some point. It seems that Paul later sent them back to Macedonia (Philippi and Thessaloniki). After that, they found Paul in the next major city on his journey, Corinth.
So, unable to bear the care of you, it seemed right to be alone in Athens; and we have sent our brother Timothy, Minister of God in the Gospel of Christ, to confirm and exhort you, by your faith, that no one may be troubled by these tribulations. Because you yourself know that we are designated for this; because when we were still with you, we predicted that we would be afflicted, which, in fact, happened and you know; therefore, since I can no longer wait, I have sent to ask for the state of your faith, fearing that the tempter will prove you and that our work will become useless, but now, with Timothy’s return, coming from in the midst of you, bringing good news of your faith and love, and also that you always keep a grateful memory of us , wishing that many will see us, as do we see you (1 Thessalonians 3: 1-6).
When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul told the Jews that Christ is Jesus (Acts 18. 5).
In a sense, the biggest difference between the religious Jews of Thessaloniki and those of Bereia was their response to the gospel. The synagogue in Thessaloniki was in confusion because of the Message of the Messiah, which Paul and his friends brought to the city. When leaders saw the passionate reaction, they became jealous and hostile. The Beerian nobles, on the other hand, continued to listen, research the scriptures, and believe in the gospel, at least until the arrival of the jealous thesalonics. God used the initial spirit of research by the Bean religious to lead some of them to true faith in Jesus. Where should we look for these religious researchers?
Of course, there were no churches in the cities Paul first visited. Paul tried to involve jewish synagogues of his time in conversations about Jesus, based on the scriptures. Perhaps the liberal churches offer a contemporary parallel to the synagogues with which Paul interacted. Although these churches have generally developed historically from the preaching of the gospel, these roots have long since died. People in these places expect to have religious conversations about God. Although they generally recognize some value in the Bible, most do not understand it. Churches like this are much more likely to teach that a person becomes Christian for his own efforts to be good. They rarely mention Jesus, except as an example to be imitated.
What if you went to one of your Sunday school classes or a Bible study and asked to participate?Even if you said immediately that you are part of another church, most liberal churches are so tolerant that they appreciate the knowledge of all possible sources. It won’t be long before people realize the difference between the comments of an evangelical believer based on the Bible and full of Christ, and the ideas and opinions that usually arise in this context. The remarkable authority of the gospel often leads these groups to seek these visitors with biblical knowledge, even finally asking them to teach!Talk to your church leaders before you start attending Sunday school in another church.
I once took my wife to a Sunday school class in a liberal church while on vacation in another state. It was almost shocking to hear all these religious statements add to the discussion. Some of the comments were, in fact, Orthodox, but many others were heretical. My wife patted me on the leg, worried I’d get into the argument too quickly. I waited until the end of the course. Even though I was a visitor, I asked if I could add anything. The kind teacher assured me that I was a beautiful part of this class and that I could obviously participate in it. Soon, I summarized the gospels as the definitive answer to the questions that had been asked. The other twelve class members seemed stunned. They thanked me for sharing this message and then asked me to finish class with a prayer. I prayed the gospel again. After class, at least three of these classes came to ask me if I would consider moving to this area and starting a new church. All that answer, and I hadn’t even mentioned to anyone that I was a shepherd!
Christian bookstores are another potential refuge for religious scholars like the Berenians. Unfortunately, informal surveys show that most participants in the main conventions of Christian publications have little or no understanding of the true gospel. Not only can bookbooks and their administrators become, but generally their customers have not converted either. These customers visit Christian bookstores for a variety of reasons, as well as simply to buy books and music. Many go there because of the positive atmosphere and to engage in a pleasant conversation with employees and other customers. It’s not uncommon to find disbelievers in the Bibles section.
Having worked for many years in Christian bookstores, I have had countless conversations with God’s beloved saints, as well as those who know nothing of their sins or of christ’s enough work. Be sensitive to owners, but enjoy the accessibility of religious people, in a place where they hope to talk about Christian issues. Learn about your understanding of the cross. Find out if they learned from the Bible, discover the changes Christ has made to them, find out where the good books are on the shelves, and suggest them in their conversation.
In the midst of the information age, religious researchers can also be found online. Do you use a social network? This can be an inexpensive way to cultivate gospel conversations with curious religious. Be very careful about the amount of time you spend online and who you’re talking to. The devil likes to attract Christians to inappropriate relationships, even when they are inspired by evangelical motives. As with all relationships, it is probably preferable for Christian men to refer women interviewed to a Christian woman to continue the conversation.
By: John Crotts. © Loyal Ministry. Website: ministeriofiel. com. br. Translated with permission. Source: Excerpt from the eBook? Annoy the world? Learn to evangelize with the apostle Paul ?.
Original: Evangelization of people open to the Gospel? Learn to evangelize with Paul (13/6). © faithful of the department. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br All rights are reserved.