Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Paul and Barnabas came under great persecution by the Jews. They had been run out of town in Antioch and threatened with stoning in Iconium. The Holy Spirit then instructed them to move on to Lystra and Derbe which were totally Gentile in nature. There were no Jews there so, there was no synagogue for them to preach in.
These people had no knowledge of the true God whatsoever. They were Pagan in nature and worshiped many false gods, but Paul preached the Gospel anyway. And there they preached the Gospel. (Acts 14:7) Preaching is God’s Plan for people to hear about Christ and Him Crucified which is God’s Plan for Redemption and Salvation.
God’s Salvation Plan is for ALL people EVERYWHERE. It doesn’t matter what language they speak or how different their culture is, the Message of the Cross of Christ is the same. The fact is, the problem with all people is the same: sin. And, the solution for that problem is also the same: Christ Crucified.
Jesus said, For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Everlasting Life. (John 3:16) God loves all people. It is His Will that all come to the knowledge of the Truth and find Salvation. (1 Timothy 2:4) God sent Jesus to be the Way for anyone and everyone to be Redeemed of their sins and set free from the bondage of sin in their lives. That Way is Christ and Him Crucified. He is the ONLY Way. There is no other way. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. (John 14:6)
Understanding this, Paul and Barnabas approached the people in Lystra exactly as they did the people in Antioch and Iconium. They simply told the Story of Jesus Christ in the streets or the town square where other speakers or politicians would address the public.
The Story of Christ consists of His Birth, Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension. It is the same today as it was then. The background or culture of the people does not matter. Everyone suffers from sin and therefore, everyone stands in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is that Savior and He stands ready to Save anyone who asks.
When the Gospel Message is told, the Holy Spirit will draw people to Salvation. That is God’s Plan. It has not changed. We don’t need big fancy buildings, strobe lights, or fog machines. We just need to hear the simple Gospel Message preached and people will be drawn to Christ. Sin is the problem. Christ is the remedy. That’s it!
The Message of the Gospel of Christ will still……….turn the tide
That’s it! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
