nor yet have we, to employ iconoclasm and ridicule. The truth will combat error. The Light will dispel darkness, and the Spirit of God will stir up the entrenched forces of evil. “ These men”— their impact “ These that have turned the world up side down.” Thus were they branded by the envious Jews of Thessalonica as dis turbers of the peace and dangerous revo lutionaries. “ These men . . . do exceed ingly trouble our city,” was a similar accusation brought by certain Romans of Philippi as their sinful business was brought to nought by the power of Christ. Wherever these men went, things hap pened. They were not out to create a disturbance, but as they were filled with the Spirit, and in His power preached Christ, there was bound to be reaction. Revolution was not their purpose, but their ministry brought about revolution (radical change) in its impact upon in dividuals, or religious tradition and on the heathen world. Sorcerers were turned from their witch craft. Devil-possessed people were set free. The jailer who cast them into pri son was loosed from the chains of sin. Many priests, devout Greeks, society women and the chief ruler of a syna gogue had their lives revolutionized as they opened their hearts to the message and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The religious world was aroused, di vided and disturbed as the gospel with its dynamic proclamation won its way among the people. The rioters were not the missionaries, but the envious unbe lievers who stirred up the mob to tumult and disorder. In the heathen world there was the public burning of books of magic (Acts 19:19), dilemma among those whose busi ness depended upon idolatry (19:23-32). The idol makers created a riot as they feared for their business when people were turning to the living God. The gospel preached in the power of the Spirit should disturb people. It calls for a verdict. It arouses the enemy in his stronghold, and the forces of evil will set themselves in array against it. The world takes little notice of a cold, formal and lifeless church. When the Holy Spirit is given His way however, to quicken and revive, then the impact is felt among the forces of superstition, deception, idolatry, and upon the ranks of those who deal in the corrupting business of drink and dope, gambling and vice. One has well said that the world is up side down already and through the min istry of the gospel men are set upon their feet. “ That we may present every' man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28), “ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). As “these men” have set such a high standard for us, let us go forth with the gospel in their spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, upsetting and setting aright our needy world! Page Nine
important is the missionary’s approach to the people to whom he is called to preach the gospel. A thoughtless and tactless approach can create resentment and prejudice which may prove well nigh insurmountable barriers later. Paul’s method in Athens should be carefully considered. Notice his respect for the sincerity of the people in their beliefs, and their reverence for their gods. So he does not plow into them with ridicule, harsh criticism and derogatory remarks re specting their gods and beliefs, which could be interpreted by them as blas phemy and arouse indignation. He is careful in his language, and courteous in his approach. He places himself alongside them and seeks to point to the truth. “We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s de vice” (Acts 17:29).
ing to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20). “ If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). It is the men that know their God who are strong and do exploits (Dan. 11:32). The men God uses are not great in their own eyes, hut their eyes are filled with the greatness of the God they serve. “ These men”— their purpose “Which shew unto us the way of sal vation.” Here is the chief business of the missionary. Other activities may be called in to be the handmaid, but he who fails here, fails everywhere. “ I am the way . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” said the Lord (John 14:6). “ Neither is there salva tion in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” echo His servants (Acts 4:12). “ What must I do to be saved?” was the jailer’s ques tion, but he was expressing the heart cry of a lost humanity which rings down the centuries and resounds around the world. “ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” This is God’s answer ’and the sum of the mis sionary’s message. Mouths need to be fed, bodies need to be clothed and healed, minds need to be instructed and living conditions improved, in all of which tasks the missionary may be called upon to engage. Others can do this just as effectively, however. But to the funda mental cry of the heart, “ What cap' wash away my sin?” it is the unique ministry of the missionary to declare, “ Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” “ These men”— their spirit “ That have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which was not surprising, for they had ceased to lay claim upon their lives. They were not their own (1 Cor. 6:19). “ Neither count I my life dear unto my self,” declared Paul to those who were fearful for his safety, and to the Corinthians he wrote, “ I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31). It is this spirit of holy abandon to the Lord and His purposes that has enabled His servants to carry the standard of the gospel into the enemies’ territory and win victories. Is it not our lack here that causes a lag in world evangelization? Are we not too mindful of ourselves, our security, position, well-being and comfort in this world? We may be prepared to take some risks in our own interests, but how far are we prepared to hazard our lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? In our enthusiastic meetings we oft- times sing, “ I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, I’ll be what you want me to be.” If we mean it we shall be prepared to hazard our lives, for this may be involved in the pledge of our words. “ These men”— their tact “ Are neither robbers of ohurches (temples), nor yet blasphemers of your goddess”—very revealing testimony on the part of the clerk of Ephesus. How M A R C H , 1 9 5 0
The wall in Damascus described in Acts 9:25 by which the Apostle Paul escaped with his life. Then Paul reasons with them, seeking to point out the shortcomings, errors, defects and vanity of their systems and beliefs. “ We . . . preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein” (Acts 14:15). “ God . . . dwelleth not in temples made with hands; . . . as though he needed any thing, see ing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24, 25). Our message is the truth, and there fore most reasonable. Paul reasoned with the Jews out of the Scriptures (Acts 18:4), he disputed (reasoned) in the market daily with the Athenians (17:17), “he reasoned of righteousness, temper ance, and judgment to come” before Felix (24:25). Peter writes that to those who ask, we should be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness (1 Pet. 3:15). Then the message of “these men” was most positive. “ This Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” said Paul to the Jews (Acts 17:3). And to the Stoics, Epicureans, and citizens of Athens it is reported that “he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). God was to be found in Christ. He is the substance of truth, and the heaven-sent Saviour of the world. This was their positive approach, and they had no need,
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs