Gospel Preaching: Meant to Evoke A Response
“And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized…â€
(Acts 2:40,41)
The Book of Acts documents that the early gospel preachers, including the original apostles, consistently offered the gospel invitation—an opportunity to respond to the gospel message (2:40-41; 11:19-21; 17:30-34; 18:8). There were other types of responses to the gospel as well:
1. Restoration (see Acts 8:14-24). Here we see that Simon needed restoration due to his heart not being right before God (8:21). Simon was directed to repent (8:22a) and pray (8:22b) for forgiveness (8:22c).
2. Placed Membership (9:26).
3. Edification (16:5; 20:32-38).
4. Rejection (17:5-6), and,
5. Conversion, of course (18:8).
The Gospel Invitation is based upon the old Jewish heritage where the Man of God calls upon the people to decide in favor of the true and living God (see Jeremiah 10:10): Moses before the Israelites (Ex. 32:26); Joshua before the Promised Land (Josh 24:15); and Ezra before the exiles (Ezra 10:10-11); and, of course, Jesus (Matt. 23:27-39; 11:28-30).
-Robert M. Housby