Session 75: Acts 17-18

Paul experiences more rejection than acceptance, just as we will, as we share Christ with others.  But, it’s our job to evangelize!! The Holy Spirit makes the converts.  We plant and water the seeds. We are not ultimately responsible for the harvest.

17:11 (A verse used by many Protestants that they feel supports their (incorrect) doctrine of “Sola Scriptura.”) (The “Bible Alone.”)  First, the scriptures the Beroeans referred to were Old Testament books (probably prophesies of the coming Messiah) which we would totally agree with.  They certainly were not New Testament books, because none had been written yet!  Secondly, if they insist that all doctrines must be explicit to be followed, you could ask them if they accept the doctrine of the Trinity!  (They do, of course, but that doctrine is one of many that is implicit, but not explicit.  We need the Church, the only Church started by Christ, to guide us in our understanding of Scripture and our relationship with God.)

17:22-31  Note Paul’s evangelism strategy here.  His audience didn’t know the one true God, so the Bible would have had no meaning to them ....at that point.  Instead, he finds things in common....general spirituality, Greek poet quotes.   We must relate to people on their level when we begin talking to them about Christ.

18:1-26 With Aquilla and Priscilla, again we see that what looks like bad circumstances(being forced to leave Rome) works wonders for God’s Kingdom.  God put you where you are for a reason!