Episode 156: Houses of Fire - Part 8 - The Gospel Message and a Range of Responses (Acts 13:13-52)

We begin by reviewing what a New Testament False Prophet was/is and more importantly IS NOT. Many today are being called "False Prophets" who according to the New Testament are not. Next, we turn back to Paul's 1st Missionary and look at HOW Paul shares the Gospel in Acts 13. What was his message? Who was his audience? Who we are sharing the Gospel with will determine how we share the Gospel. What is the worldview of our audience? Paul is communicating the Gospel in Acts 13 in Jewish synagogues to a Jewish audience (and/or Gentiles who have been influenced by Judaism). Today if we are sharing the Gospel with New Agers we will need to apply the Gospel quite differently and adjust our message. Or to Muslims. We need to be prepared for the audience we may have. Paul was clearly prepared to communicate the Gospel in a Jewish setting!Some aspects of the Gospel message need to be communicated to every type of listener - the death & resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and the freedom from sin that is available through Christ alone!The Gospel will also elicit many different responses - we see this in Acts 13. Excitement. People influenced and wanting to hear more. New disciples. But at the same time - anger, jealousy, people provoked. So much so, that sometimes it leads to violent opposition. Popular acceptance AND violent rejection. If today we are communicating the Gospel accurately, we too will find the same types of responses - whether in individuals and/or groups.We end this message with a challenge to be prepared to share the Gospel which means knowing the beliefs of our hearer(s) and knowing how the Gospel specifically addresses what is lacking in their belief system. We also moved into a time of ministry where we prayed for people who needed forgiveness, who needed freedom (from sin)., and who wanted to be filled afresh with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52)