Acts 10 tells the story of the conversion of a Roman man named Cornelius. See, Cornelius was a Roman Centurion who didn't know the Lord but feared the Lord. He had a vision of an angel telling him to send for Peter. So Cornelius sent three men to get Peter.
While this is happening Peter got a vision of his own. In his vision he saw all sorts of unclean animals and a voice told him to, "Get up Peter. Kill and eat." Peter refused to three times (I guess that's Peter's thing). When Peter woke up the three men Cornelius sent there to get him arrived. So Peter walked the 32 miles north to Cornelius' house.
Once at Cornelius' house Peter shared a simple version of the Gospel and many Gentiles believed and received the Holy Spirit. After this Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." Then the new believers were baptized and Peter stayed a few more days with them.
The point of this story in Acts is that the Gospel is for all. Peter and many of the early believers thought it was just for the Jews. If fact Peter and John were surprised just a few chapters earlier that half-blood Jews (Samaritans) could receive the Holy Spirit.
Now most of the time when we read this story we think, "Silly Peter, why did you screw up again? Of course the Gospel is for everyone."
Soon after thinking silly Peter we go and hoard the Gospel. We refuse to tell so and so because they'll never listen. Or I can't tell them they'll never listen, I'll just live my Gospel and if they believe then God can save them.
Well, silly Christians the Gospel is for all. The Gospel is for all and it comes through the hearing of the Word. The men and women at Cornelius' house believed by hearing Peter speak God's Word. Folks, nothing has changed. We must speak God's Word if we want the world around us to believe.
The Gospel is for all; it's that simple. Who have you counted unworthy to hear the Gospel message? Who have you passed by because there's no way they could be saved? Or did you see that tattoo? Did you know they spend most nights at the bar? Did you know he's a Muslim? The Gospel is for all. If we believe that and we believe the urgency of the Gospel we will do something today.
The Gospel is for all. Share it today.
Word.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and we also need to understand the power of the unspoken Gospel within this.
ReplyDeleteYou need both:
Jesus says “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
It says in Titus “...so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”
But Paul says to the Romans “‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
You are right that we need the spoken Gospel, but you need the unspoken Gospel too. It doesn't save souls alone, but if our works don't match our faith and Gospel message, it's dead. You can talk all you want, but if you don't live your Gospel how can it even be attractive for someone else?
Remember: "There is a time to keep silent, and a time to speak."