Acts 3: 11-26 Powerful Preaching of Peter
3: 11-12 We are Instruments of God
3: 13-16 We are Witnesses of God
3: 17-26 We are Evangelists of God
Acts 3: 11-12 We are Instruments of God
It is pleasing to observe the love and attitude of saints towards their new contacts and believers in the early Church. Apostles Peter and John did not do ministry as a mere program or means for livelihood. They extended their hands to all those who came to worship and received them into the Church without disparity. We are instruments of God. It is clear that we are not the power, but the instrument of God. The tools have to be sharpened, used, and disposed of after its full usage. But the Husbandman never changed. Let’s continue to surrender to complete usage and remove the rust for the benefit of more outcomes through our lives. Our attitude new converts play a vital role to increase or decrease the Church growth. The Kingdom of God will never diminish, but the established denomination or particular congregation may disappear if true love is not practiced and shown to the new converts.
Acts 3: 13-16 We are Witnesses of God
Peter and John told the people who were in the temple that ‘We are witnesses of this’. They have indeed suffered, wounded in heart, fear-stricken, ran way, but pursued by Christ after the resurrection. Legally witnesses are authentic and acceptable if they claim it a personal experience. Apostle John in his first Epistle wrote to the readers that which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched, this we proclaim (John 1:1). They were not false witnesses. If anyone who does not believe in the Truth and its effects in lives, and still talk about Christ and the Kingdom, he will be a false witness. He does witness as a survivalist and professional. God looks for a transformed person with personal experience. In such a person, the Life of Christ and words affect the entire being of that person, and automatically grace outflows to others.
Acts 3: 17-26 We are Evangelists of God
The purpose of an eye witness, in any case, serves two purposes, either to release or to condemn the person who is found and proved guilty. The Evangelists are preachers of the Good news. Though, our proclamation aimed to save hearers of the Gospel. But we can’t deny an underlying fact that we also declare the punishment edict. However, we always go with the soothing ointment made of Love of God exhibited through Jesus Christ; and the Grace of God to the suffering, broken, and bruised hearts and souls. The evangelist is expected to talk about sin, remission for sin through the blood of Christ, resurrection, and promised eternal life to the followers of Christ. It is good to bring connectivity between the Old Testament and the New Covenant, and the authenticity of the Word of God spoke through Prophets and servants of God. Evangelism never stops. The preaching within a Church is to prune the saints, and the proclamation of the Word of God outside the four walls of the Church is to produce more saints.
Discussions:
1. Keywords and its relevance to individuals.
2. The seasoned members and new converts compatibility in the Church.
3. Discuss the Instruments of God, Witnessing aspect.
4. How do you understand Evangelism in the context of pluralistic religious society?
(Please continue the studies by viewing this series on Acts)
