Shooting the Messenger

By David Merideth

Some people are more open to the gospel than others and unfortunately this includes people in and out of the body of Christ. A Christian or Gospel Preacher of the Lord’s church never knows how it is going to be received, so we should just give out the Word of God and invite people to obey Christ in all things. People will react in different ways. The apostle Paul received three reactions to the gospel when he preached it: "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter…” However, some men joined him and believed" (Acts 17:32, 34).

We find the same reactions to the gospel today. Some will mock. The term "mocked" used in Acts 17 also could be translated "sneered" or "burst out laughing." In other words, “Are you serious? You actually believe that”? To these educated fools, it all seemed silly and unbelievable. But this very mockery was an indication they were going to perish because "the preaching of the gospel is to them that are perishing foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Not only will Christians and Preachers of the Lord’s church be “mocked” it can get worse.

Jesus told His disciples: "Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master. “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). He promised that if we follow Him, we will be persecuted. “Declaring the whole counsel of God” is the primary goal of all those who preach, teach, and study the word of God. Whether we are teaching others or engaged in personal Bible study, we must hear God’s whole counsel on any given topic. "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts.20:20,27).

In John 5:31-47, we are told that Jesus was persecuted because He spoke the truth uncompromisingly, and because His whole life was a testimony to that truth. A barometer of how well our lives reflect His is whether or not we're being persecuted. Also, Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give your life as your victor’s crown.”

Some will mock and persecute, while others will delay. We will hear you again on this matter. This is a very common reaction. What it actually means is, "I really don’t want to decide right now." The devil uses this tactic to great effect. Don’t worry about it now. Deal with it later.

But some believed. Some repented and changed their minds, and among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, one of the judges who was an intellectual and ruler of the city.

Conversion is God’s job, not ours. It is the work of the Holy Spirit through the word in the life of an unbeliever and Christian alike. God holds us responsible for proclaiming the truth with love. But the rest is up to Him.

We read in Hebrews 4:12 NKJV, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Meditate on this:

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Calling on the Name of the Lord

By Jeff Curtis

The prophet Joel proclaimed that “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be delivered” (Joel 2:32). Paul quoted these words when he said, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Paul’s message assures us that, even though the world is full of uncertainties, we can be certain of this truth. If we “call on the name of the Lord,” we will be saved.

What does it mean for us to “call on the name of the Lord?” It’s a mistake to think that it means we can just merely believe in Jesus and “call on His name “by professing our faith, and then He will save us. Really, Jesus Himself said that just believing and crying out, “Lord, Lord,” was not a guarantee of salvation (Matt.7:21).

So, what does it mean? In Acts 2:21, Peter quoted from Joel2:32. He went on to preach about Jesus. When people believed what he had said about Christ, they were struck with the reality of their sin and asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter told them to “repent and …be baptized” in order to be forgiven of their sins (Acts 2:38). About three thousand people obeyed in repentance and baptism, and so were saved. In response to Peter’s application of the prophet Joel’s words, by obeying the Lord through repentance and being baptized, they were “calling” on His name – and the result was that they were saved.

That conclusion is confirmed in the account of Saul’s conversion. He saw Jesus in a vision and was told to go into the city, where he would be told what he must do to be saved (Acts 9:5-6). When the preacher Annanias came to him, he told Saul (Paul), “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). When one is baptized, therefore, he is “calling on the name of the Lord.” At that time, he receives forgiveness through the washing away of his sins.

Any person who will “call on the name of the Lord” will be saved when he obeys the gospel. After believing in Christ and confessing his faith, the non-Christian must repent and be baptized. This is what makes him a Christian, a member of the saved body of Christ. Why would anyone who knows this truth delay?