How would you share Christ with someone who has little or no exposure to Biblical teaching?

Lessons from the book of Acts (#7)

We can get some good “pointers” from Peter who effectively shared the good news of Jesus Christ with a group of Gentiles.  This story is found in Acts, chapter 10 verses 34-43.

Peter begins by telling this group of Gentiles “that God shows no partiality.”  The Gospel message is for anyone, from any nation, who fears God and is open to hearing the good news.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. (Acts 10:34-35 ESV)

• The first point that Peter made is that God is not partial to a particular group of people from a particular nation.

 For God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11 ESV)

 … for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith…. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:26-29 ESV)

 The Lord is … not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)

 Peter goes on to describe Jesus Christ as “Lord of all”. Peter tells the people that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

•  Peter’s second point: Jesus is the anointed one. God sent Jesus to earth to be the Savior of the world.

  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14 ESV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

 Peter continues:  39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (Acts 10:39-41 ESV)

• Peter’s point is that there is historical evidence of the life, works, death, and resurrection of Christ. Eye witnesses saw Christ being crucified and saw Him after he was resurrected from the dead.

 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:5-6 ESV)

•  Peter’s fourth point is that there will be a day of judgment and Jesus Christ will be the one who judges all people.

 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42 ESV)

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,      (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)

 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (John 5:22 ESV)

•  Peter’s final point in this passage: Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.

To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10: 43 ESV)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 1:12 ESV)

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV)

 

Try using these five points, used effectively by Peter, the next time you want to share the Gospel with another person or with a group of people.

 You may also want to check out “Whoever Believes….”