Acts 13 - New Testament Evangelism - shocking? Or everyone does it?

[BobRyan]

Acts 13 -
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt,....
26 “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ...38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
...

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.


44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.[/QUOTE]


Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.

 

[Yeshua1]

Acts 13 -
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt,....
26 “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ...38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
...

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.


44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.[/QUOTE]
The book of Acts records the transition period from the Old to new Covenant relationship with God, and at the beginning of the Church, they were not seen as being distinct from Judaism, just another sect, but later on, especially under the Apostle paul, a clear break was made, and so then the Apostles and other did not always just preach in the temple, nor on Sabbath, but started to honor and observe Sunday as Day of the Lord!

 

[BobRyan]

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.

I find your post hard to refute at that point.

The book of Acts records the transition period from the Old to new Covenant relationship with God, and at the beginning of the Church, they were not seen as being distinct from Judaism, just another sect,

You are talking about Acts 13 where we see synagogue evangelism... as we see in Acts 17:1- 4 as we see in Acts 18:4 as we see in Acts 19:8 ...

that is all -- Paul and Sabbath meeting evangelism. In the Syngogues "every Sabbath" Acts 18:4

And the "sect"

Acts 24:14
But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;


but later on, especially under the Apostle Paul as in the examples above - still evangelizing on Sabbath in the synagogues

in Christ,

Bob

 

[JonShaff]

The preaching to God's people is not primarily evangelistic (Although Apostolic, Gospel preaching is naturally evangelistic). The Primary focus of Preaching to God's people is to Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort...to Equip the Body of Christ. It is expounding the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way where the people of God understand who they are in Christ and are encouraged to press on and press in to Know the Lord.

First, it would be imperative for you to learn the historical-grammatical method of Interpretation. Second, you must understand the Genre in which you are discussing. Thirdly, narratives are mainly descriptive and not prescriptive.

Paul was evangelizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people "Outside of the Body of Christ" in the passages you are referring to.

 

[BobRyan]

The preaching to God's people is not primarily evangelistic (Although Apostolic, Gospel preaching is naturally evangelistic). The Primary focus of Preaching to God's people is to Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort...to Equip the Body of Christ. It is expounding the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way where the people of God understand who they are in Christ and are encouraged to press on and press in to Know the Lord.

First, it would be imperative for you to learn the historical-grammatical method of Interpretation. Second, you must understand the Genre in which you are discussing. Thirdly, narratives are mainly descriptive and not prescriptive.

I get that last one a lot from Catholics whenever I point out the "sola scriptura" methods blessed and approved in places like Acts 17:11 "they studied the scriptures daily to see IF those things spoken to them by the Apostle Paul - were so"

Paul was evangelizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people "Outside of the Body of Christ" in the passages you are referring to.

That may well have been true "the first Sabbath" that he spoke in a given synagogue - but not "EVERY Sabbath" in that same synagogue - and in Acts 18:4 it is "every Sabbath"

What is more - in the OP it is specifically gentiles asking that the Gospel sermon be preached again "next Sabbath" when practically the whole town shows up.

 

[JonShaff]

Paul wasn't looking to start a new religion. He was revealing was had been concealed.

 

[utilyan]

Acts 13 -
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt,....
26 “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ...38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
...

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.


44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.[/QUOTE]



Its like you took a shotgun of scripture a blown off your foot.

Paul is PREACHING about what happened on a SUNDAY!

Do you know how so stupid that sounds? to whine about when you preach but the CONTENT is about a SUNDAY!


Thats why in acts 15 James has to explain to the Christians what do Jews do on Sabbath days because they don't do it themselves.

Acts 15

21“For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”


Judaisers are still around, I bet BOB is the only one who can't see them.

Sure enough you would have been one of those forcing people to get circumcisions.

 

[Yeshua1]

I find your post hard to refute at that point.



You are talking about Acts 13 where we see synagogue evangelism... as we see in Acts 17:1- 4 as we see in Acts 18:4 as we see in Acts 19:8 ...

that is all -- Paul and Sabbath meeting evangelism. In the Syngogues "every Sabbath" Acts 18:4

And the "sect"

Acts 24:14
But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;


but later on, especially under the Apostle Paul as in the examples above - still evangelizing on Sabbath in the synagogues

in Christ,

Bob

Are you saying that only sabbath day on saturday is when preaching is to be done?

 

[BobRyan]

Are you saying that only sabbath day on saturday is when preaching is to be done?

No - I am saying that believing Jews and gentiles kept coming back on Sabbath for more Gospel preaching

 

[BobRyan]

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.

I am having a hard time opposing your POV in that post at that point.

How did you manage that??

 

[Yeshua1]

No - I am saying that believing Jews and gentiles kept coming back on Sabbath for more Gospel preaching

Yes, as that was the custom in the transition era in Acts, but after Acys, they met in underground building as first churches on Lords day!

 

[BobRyan]

Yes, as that was the custom in the transition era in Acts, but after Acys, they met in underground building as first churches on Lords day!

First choice over evangelizing out in the open "every Sabbath" Acts 18:4?

you mean after the first century A.D.?

 

[utilyan]

The apostles evangelized in pagan holy places too.


In Acts 15 James had to explain to the CHRISTIANS what Jews do on the Sabbath, While you insist Christians do the same thing.


If Christians were keeping Sabbath from the beginning it would not have to be explained what the JEWS do, the Christians themselves would be keeping all the Sabbath rules they would know about it, know exactly what Jews did because they were doing it also.


Why would circumcision be an issue AT ALL??? I bet its a grown christian man saying.....you want me to do what!?

Not being circumcised would also mean a automatic failure to keep the Sabbath.


Acts 15
28“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”



"no greater burden than these essentials" What does that mean?

"no greater burden than these essentials"

you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.


"no greater burden than these essentials"

Oh but wait......we have a more burdens then those essentials......heres a new essential.....you have to keep the Sabbath blah blah blah

Nope that did not happen, its not essential at all, only time Jesus mentions it is when he is ditching it.

 

[BobRyan]

The apostles evangelized in pagan holy places too.

True.

but no pagans invite them into pagan temples calling them pagan brethren and asking them to preach to them every week-day-1.

Because as it turns out -- the Bible is not paganism. So then Paul calls the Bible believers brethren worshiping the one true God with the right scriptures -- not the case in paganism.

So then a not-so-subtle difference

 

[BobRyan]

In Acts 15 James had to explain to the CHRISTIANS what Jews do on the Sabbath, While you insist Christians do the same thing. .

In Acts 15 James reminds the members in Jerusalem that both gentiles and Jews are in the Synagogues every Sabbath hearing the scriptures - as we saw in Acts 13... and Acts 17:1-4 and Acts 18:4 and Acts 19:7-8

James is arguing that the gentiles do not need to become Jews and be circumcised to be strong bible-believers because they are already hearing the Bible every Sabbath

 

[HankD]

To enter into the "rest" of Christ is to keep the sabbath 24/7.

RSV Hebrews 4
9 So then, there remains a sabbath rest (σαββατισμὸς - sabbatismos) for the people of God;
10 for whoever enters God's rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience.

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

Acts 13 -
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt,....
26 “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ...38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
...

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.


44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.[/QUOTE]
The GOSPEL of God is specifically designed to "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin." actually a singular sin. Jn. 16:8. If that were to happen in any contemporary church it is an accident.

 

[Yeshua1]

Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.

The GOSPEL of God is specifically designed to "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin." actually a singular sin. Jn. 16:8. If that were to happen in any contemporary church it is an accident.[/QUOTE]
And soon after Acts was recorded down to us, there was a definite and final split with Judaism, and the Church of Christ met and worshiped from then on on the Lords day!

 

[BobRyan]

Acts 13 -
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt,....
26 “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ 34 As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ ...38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
...

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.


44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.


Notice the "bible details"

1. the synagogue officials refer to Paul and his companions as "brethren" -
2. They invite Paul to give a word of exhortation to the congregation
3. Paul preaches from the law and the prophets
4. The gospel is being preached to both Jews and Gentiles
5. Almost the entire city shows up next Sabbath seeking more Gospel preaching

Some today would argue that the NT church is pretty much the same as their own churches today -- but when we "look at the details" of how that Gospel evangelism and weekly preaching was being conducted - one has to ask if the modern day churches are really doing "this"... as we see in Acts 13.

The GOSPEL of God is specifically designed to "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin." actually a singular sin. Jn. 16:8. If that were to happen in any contemporary church it is an accident.

Good point!

1 John 3:4 "sin is transgression of the Law" -- that is the NT definition of it.

 

[BobRyan]

And soon after Acts was recorded down to us, there was a definite and final split with Judaism, and the Church of Christ met and worshiped from then on on the Lords day!

Sounds like 'pay no attention to what you read in the NT text -- the real Christian doctrine comes after the Bible"