Evangelism in Acts
I still can recall the day when hurricane Wilma hit the coast of the gulf of Mexico. In all the media one could see people loosing everything, from houses to cars and personal possessions. It was a sad day. Also the price of gas went very high and it was a hard week, not only for the people in the area of rural Louisiana but also for people in the United States. A few weeks after hurricane Wilma created such devastation one of the most important newspapers in the USA published a picture of a clergyman and a group of people hugging each other with tears in their eyes. It was a great representation of grace and mercy, showing that even though there are tribulations, the church will always be there to help.
Two years ago I was involved in a series of lectures by one of the most famous Presbyterian minister in Mexico. He is the person with the highest scholarly achievement and the topic of the lectures was about the Bible. During the first day he gave a definition of the purpose of every Christian in life: “To be a blessing in the world”[1]. I agree with him. The everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ is the instrument by which Jesus still changes the lives of people. As one of my professors said, “when we preach, we are truly preaching the Word of God as it is derivated from the written Scriptures”[2]. In the book of Acts we see people speaking the very Word of God, it is very interesting the impact that people like Peter and Paul had in the preaching of the early church, using the unforgettable words: “Pivsteuoson +epi; to;n kurinovn =Ihsou Cristovn (Acts 16:31). The apostles always tried to address the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation for the human race. This is the main message in the book of Acts.
There is no other message better than this one, because “salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Vern S. Poythress states, “Jesus Christ Himself is the center of the New Testament revelation”[3].
The purpose of this research paper is to show how the gospel is preached based upon the atonement of Jesus Christ as a way of evangelism, the different evangelistic approaches in the book of Acts and how each of these is translated in to being a blessing to the world. We will look at some chapters and verses in the book of Acts, specifically those that are addressing the two main characters in the book: the apostles Peter and Paul.
Jesus Christ as our reason for Evangelism
Luke, in the Gospel according to Luke wrote this lines: “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning…it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you Theophilus” (Acts 1:3). With those lines he gives us a wonderful picture of how we need to approach other people, especially relating to matters of faith: Having an accurate understanding of the things related to Christ and then sharing the “good news” in proper order. In verse 4 of the same chapter, Luke stated the reason of his investigation: “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). It is interesting to relate this to something that Michael F. Bird stated, “What the gospels produce is not the Christ of faith superimposed on to the historical Jesus; rather they offer a dramatic representation, much like a docudrama of Jesus actions in the past and his voice for the present available through the public memory of Jesus”[4]. Luke is not only an historian, but also a theologian[5]. Luke summarizes the gospel using the words of Christ, “It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Luke 24:46). For Luke Christ died, that is why he is so willing to record an accurate account of everything that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1), he also addresses the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Darrel L. Bock states something interesting about the gospel according to Luke, but also about Luke in general, “Luke highlights God´s plan. It explains how Jew and Gentile could end up as equals in a community planted by God”.[6] That is the connection between Luke and Acts, besides this connection both books were written by Luke; he is also concerned with showing that the Gentiles are part of God´s plan. F. Duane Lindsey states, “The book of Acts sets forth the communication of the gospel through the preaching of the apostles”[7]. Luke starts to narrate the Redemptive Historical event at Pentecost. The word in German to describe salvation history is Heilsheschichte, the book of Acts contains many elements of salvation history that points out Christ as the Redeemer. According to Herman Ridderbos, “The basic motif of the entire New Testament kerygma is that of the fulfillment of the Historical Redemption which began with Christ´s coming”[8] Christ died and rose again on the third day, the thing is that He is not physically with the apostles anymore. The amazing thing here is that Jesus promise of the Holy Spirit would be revealed and that the church would grow according to the sovereign plan of God.
Dr. Robert Cara states, “A proper outline of Acts must emphasize the ever expanding church”[9]. The Church starts to expand in Acts 2 and it never stops. Acts 2 addresses that all the disciples were together at Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and also that they were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues” (Acts 2:4). Concerning this event John Calvin states, “The Lord gave the Holy Spirit a visible shape so that we may be certain that the church will never lack his invisible and hidden grace”[10]. Christ is the head of the church, we belong to him because he died for us. We have a Union with Christ and we can be filled by the Holy Spirit. The union with Christ should be the reason to spread the news, because we can preach the Word of God. Several liberal scholars like Rudolf Bultmann argues that not only is Luke´s picture of the church in Acts incomplete, its also filled with legend[11]. If the account of Jesus was a real legend then “our faith is futile… and we must be pitied more than all men”(1 Cor 15:17,19). But we really believe in the power of God. We still have PivstiV +Ihsou: Cristou: (Faith in Jesus Christ). Christ is the reason for our faith and hope. The Holy Spirit really helps us in that task.
Peter, his way of approaching people
In Acts chapter 2, during Pentecost we see one of the most important figures in the early church. Peter stands up and starts to talk. This is not the same Peter that we see in the gospels, who is many times very uncertain. But now, after he realized that the promise of Christ was true, that He rose again from the dead as an historical fact and being filled with the Holy Spirit Peter preached the Word of God, expounding the very Word of God as it is written in the Scriptures. Peter quoted the book of Joel chapter 2. He says the unforgettable words, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). He later states that the Lord is Christ (Acts 2:36). Simon Kistemaker states about this sermon of Peter, “At this point the listener understands the term Lord to mean God; but in the conclusion of his sermon, Peter clearly states that God made Jesus “both Lord and Christ” (v.36). When the believer calls on the Lord’s name, he calls on Christ”[12]. It is also interesting to notice how Peter is telling about the signs, miracles and wonders of Christ, things of which the Jews were aware (Acts 2:22). Peter also addresses the death and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:23-24). About this Calvin states, “Christ was not one of the prophets but the Son of God, who was promised to be the restorer of everything”[13]. In this speech we see that Peter is talking about Christ, using Scriptures and pointing to the death and resurrection of Christ and addressing Christ as God. That is the main point of believing and we will see that Paul uses the same when he shares the good news of Christ with others. The Bible displays a unity and evangelism is part of that unity. Peter states salvation in Christ because Christ died for him.
In Acts chapter 10, the Bible records that the Gentiles are part of God´s people. This is part of the clear evidence that the Redemptive acts of Jesus would have consequences in all the world and not only within the Jewish communities. Meanwhile, Dr. Cara addresses two problems that the Jews had with the Gentiles, those problems were how to interact due to food and hospitality laws and the Jews were not convinced that the Gentiles were part of God´s plan[14]. Luke recorded in this chapter that Peter and Cornelius had a vision. That God in a vision told Peter not to call anything impure (Acts 10:15). So Cornelius who was a God-fearer but not a Jew met Peter (Acts 10:25). Peter talked with Cornelius about the death of Christ, and His resurrection(Acts 10:40,41). Simon Kistemaker states, “Peter announces the good news of salvation and traces the history of Jesus´s life, death, and resurrection. He also reveals his role as an eyewitness who has been told to proclaim the gospel”[15]. Peter states in verse 42, “He commanded (Jesus) to preach to the people and to testify” The Greek words that Peter uses are keruvxai (to proclaim) and diamartuvra;sqai (to testify fully), Peter also says that “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts10:43). We only obtain forgiveness of sins by Christ´s mediation and by no other means. The only thing we can do is to preach and testify fully Christ as God and Savior. Here is when we see the new assembly of the people of God, the new Israel. Edmund P. Clowney states, “The new assembly of the people of God is built by Christ confessed as the Messiah”[16]. Theologians like J.C. Ryle states that “Messiah´s kingdom at His first coming was to be a spiritual kingdom over hearts. His victories were not to be over worldly enemies, but over sin”.[17]
It is interesting to notice how the early church tried to addressed Christ as the real Messiah and real mediator between God and men. His atonement had a reason and a purpose and He became our real advocate and helper. Meanwhile the Roman Catholic Church still states that the virgin Mary has a title as Mediatrix, Benefactress, helper and advocate[18]. But we never see that in the preaching of the Word of God in the early church. It is only through faith in the death, resurrection of Christ and the hope of a new life through the work of the Holy Spirit in which a person can find real salvation.
Paul, his way of approaching people
We have seen how the preaching of the Word of God in the beginning of Christianity was centered upon the death and resurrection of Christ. Also we realize how the Gentiles are part of God´s plan. According to George Eldon Ladd, “The book of Acts purports to give an outline of the history of the church from it earliest days in Jerusalem to the arrival of its greatest hero-Paul, in the chief city of Rome”[19] The second part of the book of Acts is centered almost exclusively in the person and preaching of Paul[20]. According to Luke´s account, this man used to be called Saul, and was present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). He also persecuted the church (Acts 8:3). But something interesting happened to this man, an event that changed the course of history and the Redemptive Acts of Christ and His passion and resurrection will change the world by the beginning of the preaching of this man in Gentile territory.
Luke describes that Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians when he saw a light (Acts 9:3). Luke states the following about the response to Paul in that event: TivV ei\, kuvrie~ (Who art thou Lord?) It is interesting to notice that even before he heard any voice he recognizes that God was involved in that event. Paul here is making a confession of Lordship, here he is using the term Lord as the use of YHWH. Here, also He is appearing to Paul, using the wonderful words, =Egwv e=imi =Ihsou:V (I am Jesus) and in the same verse Jesus addresses that Paul is not persecuting the church, Paul is persecuting Jesus. Ridderbos states, “Whatever happened to Christ, happened to the church, not only analogously or metaphorically, but in the historical sense of the word”[21]. Paul was persecuting the church until he met personally with Christ. Paul started to believe in Jesus´s death and resurrection. Paul was a new creation, a new man. A modern scholar states, “The resurrection of Christ is the pivotal factor in the whole of the apostle´s soteriological teaching”[22].
There are some critical scholars that believe that, “Paul appropriated various Jewish and pagan mythical conceptual forms in order with their help to give expression to the conviction that God himself achieves his eschatological salvation in Jesus Christ”[23]. It was by God´s power in the preaching through the work of the Holy Spirit that grace was spread to the world, especially in Gentile territory. According to D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, “Paul is the chief instrument through which this universaliziting of the church takes place”[24]. Salvation is the central theme in Paul´s preaching. In Acts 13 we see Paul moving almost exclusively to the Gentiles because of the unbelief of the good news from the Jews (Acts 13:46. We are moving now to Acts 16 where Paul is spreading the good news with Gentiles who will become part of God´s people. As Machen states, “Jesus came not to reveal to men that they were already children of God, but to make them God´s children by His Redeeming work”[25].
Luke points that Paul was in jail because of his work as an evangelist. But after he and his companion were singing and praying an earthquake took place (Acts 16:24). The jailer was very worried about losing the inmates, but Paul told him that everybody was inside the jail. The jailer asks Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Kistemaker states that “the question of the jailer came from a sincere heart, as is evident from the polite address sirs”[26]. Kistemaker also states that the way of salvation in this verse could testify that salvation is a gift of God[27]. A gift from God because the work was already done in the atonement of Christ. It is interesting to notice how the jailer was afraid and was thinking about killing himself (Acts 10:27). Diogenes Allen states that, “One of the great appeals of Christianity for Gentiles, who were deeply troubled by the idea of death, was the promise of the resurrection of the dead through union with Christ”[28]. In verse 31 Paul gives the jailer an answer to his question, Pivsteuson =epiv to;n =Ihsou:n Cristovn (Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ) and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Here we can see a parallel between Peter and Paul, both who are preaching faith in Jesus Christ as the means to be saved. The jailer received justification. Justification is, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “An act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone”[29]. Paul had the incredible opportunity to share the good news of Christ with the Greek people, in Athens. Acts chapter 17 gives us the main points that Paul addressed to the Athenians. Paul used Scripture and other elements of the Greek culture. Just like Peter used Scriptures and elements of the Jewish culture to reach other people. Paul uses the word of a poet from the Greek world, “We are indeed His offspring” (Acts 17:28). Kistemaker states, “By quoting these poets Paul is not intimating that he agrees with the pagan setting in which citations flourished. Rather, he uses the words to fit his Christian teaching”[30]. We still can use some tools, always with the purpose to point toward Christ. In verse 31 Paul states, “Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Paul is talking about the Lordship of Christ and how Jesus will judge the wicked and all those who denied His sacrifice. Calvin states, “Paul first spoke about the grace of Christ, saying that He is the Redeemer of mankind, before talking of His being a judge”[31] We see at the end of the chapter that some Athenians mocked (17:32) and others believed (17:34).
The same thing happens today, some believe and some not. But we need to keep in mind that the gospel is the power for salvation (Romans 1:16). We need to follow the example of Paul who preached the gospel “boldly and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). God is still rescuing people, the redemptive acts of Jesus are still seen.
Conclusion
The good news of salvation is a blessing. We don´t realize the debt of thanksgiving that the evangelicals in Latin America owe to the evangelicals in America. Even though there have been some issues in the past, the gospel came to the south as a part of the willingness of many “northerners” and “southerners” to preach the word of God. Preaching the Word of God can give courage to tell others that there is still hope. A modern scholar states, “one might conclude that the church today should be encouraged to have a richer understanding of receiving Christ´s benediction, which testifies both to the presence of God among the congregation and to the completeness of the atoning work of the savior”[32]. Paul and Peter preached the Word of God always relating to the importance of the sacrifice of Christ and the faith in him. By his wounds we were healed, stated the prophet Isaiah. We need to look back to the cross every day. The gospel must be preached also to the believers. I can recall a personal experience. This comes from the associate pastor of my church. I was having a bad day at seminary and in my personal walk with the Lord, when he gave me the blessing[33] from Aaron the priest, the brother of Moses, “Lord bless you and keep you.. shine your face upon you”. I realize then that God is pleased with me. I can preach the gospel without hindrance too. I can give blessings to other people. Because all the richness of glory is found in Christ.
[1] Dr, Gerard Nyenhuis, Lectures delivered in Monterrey, Mexico in March of 2004.
[2] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[3] Verrn S. Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed 1991) 8. Even Though this specific book by Dr. Poythress is addressing that Christ is the central point in the Old Testament, the book is very useful in our appreciation of the New Testament.
[4] Michael F. Bird, “The Formation of the Gospels in the setting of early Christianity: The Jesus tradition as corporate memory” WTJ 67(2005) 134.
[5] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006. This comes from an interesting debate between critical scholars and evangelicals who fight about the fact that Luke is only concern with historical facts or the theology of the early church.
[6] Darrel L. Bock, Luke Volume 1 Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994) 1.
[7] F. Duane Lindsey, “Lucan Theology in Contemporary Perspective” BibSac 125(1968) 348.
[8] Herman Ridderbos, Paul and Jesus (Philadelphia:Presbyterian and Reformed 1958) 67.
[9] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006
[10] John Calvin, Acts The Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton:Crossway Books 1995) 30. Calvin also states that the Lord assured the apostles that their preaching would be powerful. Nor was this power restricted to the time of the apostles. It is still seen every day.
[11] Rudolf Bultmann, Theology of the New Testament (2 Vols; New Yourk:Scribner´s, 1951) 1:33. About this there is an excellent response by C.S. Lewis in his essay “Fern seed elephants and other essays on Christianity”. The book is translated into Spanish with the name “Esporas the helechos y elefantes”. C.S. Lewis reject entirely the idea of Bultmann to consider the accounts of the New Testament as myths.
[12] Simon J. Kistemaker, Acts New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker 1990) 91. Kistemaker also states that Peter confronts the individual listener with Christ’s gospel and tells him to call on the name of the Lord. For Peter the gospel was about confessing Christ as the Messiah as he did it. Kistemaker also states that with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the church assumed its own identity separate from Judaism. The church would be one with Christ as the cornerstone.
[13] Calvin, Acts, 37. Calvin also states that Peter mention Christ death in this passage so that his hearers would more easily believe in the Resurrection. The resurrection was a clear indication of the divine power of Christ.
[14] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[15] Kistemaker, Acts, 397. Kistemaker also status that Peter and every pastor of today must point to Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of faith.
[16] Edmund P. Clowney, “Toward a Biblical Doctrine of the Church” WTJ 31(1968) 52.
[17] J.C. Ryle, Luke Expository Thought on the Gospels (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 1956) 117.
[18] Catechism of the Catholic Chruch, 969. The catechism also states that Mary is our mother in order of grace.
[19] George Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans 1993) 347.
[20] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[21] Herman Ridderbos, When The Time Had Fully Come (Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers 2001) 55.
[22] Richard Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption: A study in Paul´s Soteriology (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed 1987) 135. Dr. Gaffin also states that redemption is defined expressly in terms of resurrection (with Christ) and in the final analysis consists in the state of being raised (with Christ).
[23] Werner Georg Kummel, The Theology of the New Testament (Nashville: Abingdon Press 1973) 251. He is a follower of R. Bultmann who believed that the gospels were myths. He is one of the “bad guys” according to some evangelicals.
[24] D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2005) 323.
[25] Machen, The Originis of Paul´s Religion, 131.
[26] Kistemaker, Acts, 600.
[27] Kistemaker, Acts, 601.
[28] Diogenes Allen, Spiritual Theology (Cambridge: Cowley 1997) 40.
[29] Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 33.
[30] Kistemaker, Acts, 637.Kistemaker status that the poets who Paul quoted are Epimenides and Aratus.
[31] Calvin, Acts, 305.
[32] Nelly M. Kapic, “Receiving Christ Priestly Benedictino: A biblical, Historical, and Theological Exploration of Luke 24:50-53”, WTJ 67 (2005) 260.
[33] Blessing comes from the latin word bendiciere that literally means “to say good things”.
Two years ago I was involved in a series of lectures by one of the most famous Presbyterian minister in Mexico. He is the person with the highest scholarly achievement and the topic of the lectures was about the Bible. During the first day he gave a definition of the purpose of every Christian in life: “To be a blessing in the world”[1]. I agree with him. The everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ is the instrument by which Jesus still changes the lives of people. As one of my professors said, “when we preach, we are truly preaching the Word of God as it is derivated from the written Scriptures”[2]. In the book of Acts we see people speaking the very Word of God, it is very interesting the impact that people like Peter and Paul had in the preaching of the early church, using the unforgettable words: “Pivsteuoson +epi; to;n kurinovn =Ihsou Cristovn (Acts 16:31). The apostles always tried to address the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation for the human race. This is the main message in the book of Acts.
There is no other message better than this one, because “salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Vern S. Poythress states, “Jesus Christ Himself is the center of the New Testament revelation”[3].
The purpose of this research paper is to show how the gospel is preached based upon the atonement of Jesus Christ as a way of evangelism, the different evangelistic approaches in the book of Acts and how each of these is translated in to being a blessing to the world. We will look at some chapters and verses in the book of Acts, specifically those that are addressing the two main characters in the book: the apostles Peter and Paul.
Jesus Christ as our reason for Evangelism
Luke, in the Gospel according to Luke wrote this lines: “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning…it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you Theophilus” (Acts 1:3). With those lines he gives us a wonderful picture of how we need to approach other people, especially relating to matters of faith: Having an accurate understanding of the things related to Christ and then sharing the “good news” in proper order. In verse 4 of the same chapter, Luke stated the reason of his investigation: “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). It is interesting to relate this to something that Michael F. Bird stated, “What the gospels produce is not the Christ of faith superimposed on to the historical Jesus; rather they offer a dramatic representation, much like a docudrama of Jesus actions in the past and his voice for the present available through the public memory of Jesus”[4]. Luke is not only an historian, but also a theologian[5]. Luke summarizes the gospel using the words of Christ, “It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Luke 24:46). For Luke Christ died, that is why he is so willing to record an accurate account of everything that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1), he also addresses the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Darrel L. Bock states something interesting about the gospel according to Luke, but also about Luke in general, “Luke highlights God´s plan. It explains how Jew and Gentile could end up as equals in a community planted by God”.[6] That is the connection between Luke and Acts, besides this connection both books were written by Luke; he is also concerned with showing that the Gentiles are part of God´s plan. F. Duane Lindsey states, “The book of Acts sets forth the communication of the gospel through the preaching of the apostles”[7]. Luke starts to narrate the Redemptive Historical event at Pentecost. The word in German to describe salvation history is Heilsheschichte, the book of Acts contains many elements of salvation history that points out Christ as the Redeemer. According to Herman Ridderbos, “The basic motif of the entire New Testament kerygma is that of the fulfillment of the Historical Redemption which began with Christ´s coming”[8] Christ died and rose again on the third day, the thing is that He is not physically with the apostles anymore. The amazing thing here is that Jesus promise of the Holy Spirit would be revealed and that the church would grow according to the sovereign plan of God.
Dr. Robert Cara states, “A proper outline of Acts must emphasize the ever expanding church”[9]. The Church starts to expand in Acts 2 and it never stops. Acts 2 addresses that all the disciples were together at Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and also that they were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues” (Acts 2:4). Concerning this event John Calvin states, “The Lord gave the Holy Spirit a visible shape so that we may be certain that the church will never lack his invisible and hidden grace”[10]. Christ is the head of the church, we belong to him because he died for us. We have a Union with Christ and we can be filled by the Holy Spirit. The union with Christ should be the reason to spread the news, because we can preach the Word of God. Several liberal scholars like Rudolf Bultmann argues that not only is Luke´s picture of the church in Acts incomplete, its also filled with legend[11]. If the account of Jesus was a real legend then “our faith is futile… and we must be pitied more than all men”(1 Cor 15:17,19). But we really believe in the power of God. We still have PivstiV +Ihsou: Cristou: (Faith in Jesus Christ). Christ is the reason for our faith and hope. The Holy Spirit really helps us in that task.
Peter, his way of approaching people
In Acts chapter 2, during Pentecost we see one of the most important figures in the early church. Peter stands up and starts to talk. This is not the same Peter that we see in the gospels, who is many times very uncertain. But now, after he realized that the promise of Christ was true, that He rose again from the dead as an historical fact and being filled with the Holy Spirit Peter preached the Word of God, expounding the very Word of God as it is written in the Scriptures. Peter quoted the book of Joel chapter 2. He says the unforgettable words, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). He later states that the Lord is Christ (Acts 2:36). Simon Kistemaker states about this sermon of Peter, “At this point the listener understands the term Lord to mean God; but in the conclusion of his sermon, Peter clearly states that God made Jesus “both Lord and Christ” (v.36). When the believer calls on the Lord’s name, he calls on Christ”[12]. It is also interesting to notice how Peter is telling about the signs, miracles and wonders of Christ, things of which the Jews were aware (Acts 2:22). Peter also addresses the death and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:23-24). About this Calvin states, “Christ was not one of the prophets but the Son of God, who was promised to be the restorer of everything”[13]. In this speech we see that Peter is talking about Christ, using Scriptures and pointing to the death and resurrection of Christ and addressing Christ as God. That is the main point of believing and we will see that Paul uses the same when he shares the good news of Christ with others. The Bible displays a unity and evangelism is part of that unity. Peter states salvation in Christ because Christ died for him.
In Acts chapter 10, the Bible records that the Gentiles are part of God´s people. This is part of the clear evidence that the Redemptive acts of Jesus would have consequences in all the world and not only within the Jewish communities. Meanwhile, Dr. Cara addresses two problems that the Jews had with the Gentiles, those problems were how to interact due to food and hospitality laws and the Jews were not convinced that the Gentiles were part of God´s plan[14]. Luke recorded in this chapter that Peter and Cornelius had a vision. That God in a vision told Peter not to call anything impure (Acts 10:15). So Cornelius who was a God-fearer but not a Jew met Peter (Acts 10:25). Peter talked with Cornelius about the death of Christ, and His resurrection(Acts 10:40,41). Simon Kistemaker states, “Peter announces the good news of salvation and traces the history of Jesus´s life, death, and resurrection. He also reveals his role as an eyewitness who has been told to proclaim the gospel”[15]. Peter states in verse 42, “He commanded (Jesus) to preach to the people and to testify” The Greek words that Peter uses are keruvxai (to proclaim) and diamartuvra;sqai (to testify fully), Peter also says that “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts10:43). We only obtain forgiveness of sins by Christ´s mediation and by no other means. The only thing we can do is to preach and testify fully Christ as God and Savior. Here is when we see the new assembly of the people of God, the new Israel. Edmund P. Clowney states, “The new assembly of the people of God is built by Christ confessed as the Messiah”[16]. Theologians like J.C. Ryle states that “Messiah´s kingdom at His first coming was to be a spiritual kingdom over hearts. His victories were not to be over worldly enemies, but over sin”.[17]
It is interesting to notice how the early church tried to addressed Christ as the real Messiah and real mediator between God and men. His atonement had a reason and a purpose and He became our real advocate and helper. Meanwhile the Roman Catholic Church still states that the virgin Mary has a title as Mediatrix, Benefactress, helper and advocate[18]. But we never see that in the preaching of the Word of God in the early church. It is only through faith in the death, resurrection of Christ and the hope of a new life through the work of the Holy Spirit in which a person can find real salvation.
Paul, his way of approaching people
We have seen how the preaching of the Word of God in the beginning of Christianity was centered upon the death and resurrection of Christ. Also we realize how the Gentiles are part of God´s plan. According to George Eldon Ladd, “The book of Acts purports to give an outline of the history of the church from it earliest days in Jerusalem to the arrival of its greatest hero-Paul, in the chief city of Rome”[19] The second part of the book of Acts is centered almost exclusively in the person and preaching of Paul[20]. According to Luke´s account, this man used to be called Saul, and was present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). He also persecuted the church (Acts 8:3). But something interesting happened to this man, an event that changed the course of history and the Redemptive Acts of Christ and His passion and resurrection will change the world by the beginning of the preaching of this man in Gentile territory.
Luke describes that Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians when he saw a light (Acts 9:3). Luke states the following about the response to Paul in that event: TivV ei\, kuvrie~ (Who art thou Lord?) It is interesting to notice that even before he heard any voice he recognizes that God was involved in that event. Paul here is making a confession of Lordship, here he is using the term Lord as the use of YHWH. Here, also He is appearing to Paul, using the wonderful words, =Egwv e=imi =Ihsou:V (I am Jesus) and in the same verse Jesus addresses that Paul is not persecuting the church, Paul is persecuting Jesus. Ridderbos states, “Whatever happened to Christ, happened to the church, not only analogously or metaphorically, but in the historical sense of the word”[21]. Paul was persecuting the church until he met personally with Christ. Paul started to believe in Jesus´s death and resurrection. Paul was a new creation, a new man. A modern scholar states, “The resurrection of Christ is the pivotal factor in the whole of the apostle´s soteriological teaching”[22].
There are some critical scholars that believe that, “Paul appropriated various Jewish and pagan mythical conceptual forms in order with their help to give expression to the conviction that God himself achieves his eschatological salvation in Jesus Christ”[23]. It was by God´s power in the preaching through the work of the Holy Spirit that grace was spread to the world, especially in Gentile territory. According to D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, “Paul is the chief instrument through which this universaliziting of the church takes place”[24]. Salvation is the central theme in Paul´s preaching. In Acts 13 we see Paul moving almost exclusively to the Gentiles because of the unbelief of the good news from the Jews (Acts 13:46. We are moving now to Acts 16 where Paul is spreading the good news with Gentiles who will become part of God´s people. As Machen states, “Jesus came not to reveal to men that they were already children of God, but to make them God´s children by His Redeeming work”[25].
Luke points that Paul was in jail because of his work as an evangelist. But after he and his companion were singing and praying an earthquake took place (Acts 16:24). The jailer was very worried about losing the inmates, but Paul told him that everybody was inside the jail. The jailer asks Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Kistemaker states that “the question of the jailer came from a sincere heart, as is evident from the polite address sirs”[26]. Kistemaker also states that the way of salvation in this verse could testify that salvation is a gift of God[27]. A gift from God because the work was already done in the atonement of Christ. It is interesting to notice how the jailer was afraid and was thinking about killing himself (Acts 10:27). Diogenes Allen states that, “One of the great appeals of Christianity for Gentiles, who were deeply troubled by the idea of death, was the promise of the resurrection of the dead through union with Christ”[28]. In verse 31 Paul gives the jailer an answer to his question, Pivsteuson =epiv to;n =Ihsou:n Cristovn (Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ) and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Here we can see a parallel between Peter and Paul, both who are preaching faith in Jesus Christ as the means to be saved. The jailer received justification. Justification is, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “An act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone”[29]. Paul had the incredible opportunity to share the good news of Christ with the Greek people, in Athens. Acts chapter 17 gives us the main points that Paul addressed to the Athenians. Paul used Scripture and other elements of the Greek culture. Just like Peter used Scriptures and elements of the Jewish culture to reach other people. Paul uses the word of a poet from the Greek world, “We are indeed His offspring” (Acts 17:28). Kistemaker states, “By quoting these poets Paul is not intimating that he agrees with the pagan setting in which citations flourished. Rather, he uses the words to fit his Christian teaching”[30]. We still can use some tools, always with the purpose to point toward Christ. In verse 31 Paul states, “Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Paul is talking about the Lordship of Christ and how Jesus will judge the wicked and all those who denied His sacrifice. Calvin states, “Paul first spoke about the grace of Christ, saying that He is the Redeemer of mankind, before talking of His being a judge”[31] We see at the end of the chapter that some Athenians mocked (17:32) and others believed (17:34).
The same thing happens today, some believe and some not. But we need to keep in mind that the gospel is the power for salvation (Romans 1:16). We need to follow the example of Paul who preached the gospel “boldly and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). God is still rescuing people, the redemptive acts of Jesus are still seen.
Conclusion
The good news of salvation is a blessing. We don´t realize the debt of thanksgiving that the evangelicals in Latin America owe to the evangelicals in America. Even though there have been some issues in the past, the gospel came to the south as a part of the willingness of many “northerners” and “southerners” to preach the word of God. Preaching the Word of God can give courage to tell others that there is still hope. A modern scholar states, “one might conclude that the church today should be encouraged to have a richer understanding of receiving Christ´s benediction, which testifies both to the presence of God among the congregation and to the completeness of the atoning work of the savior”[32]. Paul and Peter preached the Word of God always relating to the importance of the sacrifice of Christ and the faith in him. By his wounds we were healed, stated the prophet Isaiah. We need to look back to the cross every day. The gospel must be preached also to the believers. I can recall a personal experience. This comes from the associate pastor of my church. I was having a bad day at seminary and in my personal walk with the Lord, when he gave me the blessing[33] from Aaron the priest, the brother of Moses, “Lord bless you and keep you.. shine your face upon you”. I realize then that God is pleased with me. I can preach the gospel without hindrance too. I can give blessings to other people. Because all the richness of glory is found in Christ.
[1] Dr, Gerard Nyenhuis, Lectures delivered in Monterrey, Mexico in March of 2004.
[2] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[3] Verrn S. Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed 1991) 8. Even Though this specific book by Dr. Poythress is addressing that Christ is the central point in the Old Testament, the book is very useful in our appreciation of the New Testament.
[4] Michael F. Bird, “The Formation of the Gospels in the setting of early Christianity: The Jesus tradition as corporate memory” WTJ 67(2005) 134.
[5] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006. This comes from an interesting debate between critical scholars and evangelicals who fight about the fact that Luke is only concern with historical facts or the theology of the early church.
[6] Darrel L. Bock, Luke Volume 1 Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994) 1.
[7] F. Duane Lindsey, “Lucan Theology in Contemporary Perspective” BibSac 125(1968) 348.
[8] Herman Ridderbos, Paul and Jesus (Philadelphia:Presbyterian and Reformed 1958) 67.
[9] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006
[10] John Calvin, Acts The Crossway Classic Commentaries (Wheaton:Crossway Books 1995) 30. Calvin also states that the Lord assured the apostles that their preaching would be powerful. Nor was this power restricted to the time of the apostles. It is still seen every day.
[11] Rudolf Bultmann, Theology of the New Testament (2 Vols; New Yourk:Scribner´s, 1951) 1:33. About this there is an excellent response by C.S. Lewis in his essay “Fern seed elephants and other essays on Christianity”. The book is translated into Spanish with the name “Esporas the helechos y elefantes”. C.S. Lewis reject entirely the idea of Bultmann to consider the accounts of the New Testament as myths.
[12] Simon J. Kistemaker, Acts New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker 1990) 91. Kistemaker also states that Peter confronts the individual listener with Christ’s gospel and tells him to call on the name of the Lord. For Peter the gospel was about confessing Christ as the Messiah as he did it. Kistemaker also states that with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the church assumed its own identity separate from Judaism. The church would be one with Christ as the cornerstone.
[13] Calvin, Acts, 37. Calvin also states that Peter mention Christ death in this passage so that his hearers would more easily believe in the Resurrection. The resurrection was a clear indication of the divine power of Christ.
[14] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[15] Kistemaker, Acts, 397. Kistemaker also status that Peter and every pastor of today must point to Jesus Christ as the author and perfecter of faith.
[16] Edmund P. Clowney, “Toward a Biblical Doctrine of the Church” WTJ 31(1968) 52.
[17] J.C. Ryle, Luke Expository Thought on the Gospels (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 1956) 117.
[18] Catechism of the Catholic Chruch, 969. The catechism also states that Mary is our mother in order of grace.
[19] George Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans 1993) 347.
[20] Dr. Robert J. Cara, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winter 2006.
[21] Herman Ridderbos, When The Time Had Fully Come (Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers 2001) 55.
[22] Richard Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption: A study in Paul´s Soteriology (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed 1987) 135. Dr. Gaffin also states that redemption is defined expressly in terms of resurrection (with Christ) and in the final analysis consists in the state of being raised (with Christ).
[23] Werner Georg Kummel, The Theology of the New Testament (Nashville: Abingdon Press 1973) 251. He is a follower of R. Bultmann who believed that the gospels were myths. He is one of the “bad guys” according to some evangelicals.
[24] D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2005) 323.
[25] Machen, The Originis of Paul´s Religion, 131.
[26] Kistemaker, Acts, 600.
[27] Kistemaker, Acts, 601.
[28] Diogenes Allen, Spiritual Theology (Cambridge: Cowley 1997) 40.
[29] Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 33.
[30] Kistemaker, Acts, 637.Kistemaker status that the poets who Paul quoted are Epimenides and Aratus.
[31] Calvin, Acts, 305.
[32] Nelly M. Kapic, “Receiving Christ Priestly Benedictino: A biblical, Historical, and Theological Exploration of Luke 24:50-53”, WTJ 67 (2005) 260.
[33] Blessing comes from the latin word bendiciere that literally means “to say good things”.
posted by Arty at miércoles, febrero 15, 2006
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