1 The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him 3 and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:
For modern Christians in the West, it is almost impossible to understand what a leap of faith it was for Jewish believers in Jesus to believe that God had “granted repentance” to Gentiles. Not only was this extremely divisive and controversial at the start, but it continued to be a major point of disagreement and strife in the early years of the Church.
As we continue to read through Acts together, we are going to see many variations on this core conflict that cause much damage and necessitate God’s validating power to continue to confirm this controversial message with miraculous signs accompanying its preaching. Even though Gentile salvation was hinted at in the prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament, it was so rarely considered that it was thought to be impossible by many Jews. This explains Mark’s version of the Great Commission of Jesus:
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Some translations say “preach the gospel to all of creation”, but this is the same word translated “creature” in Romans 1.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,
So, as we compare the first scripture with the second and in context, this word “creature” is not merely describing all of humanity. It is also describing birds, animals and reptiles! Why would Jesus command those Jewish disciples of His to preach the Gospel to animals?
Of course we know He did not intend for us to conduct “Cat Crusades”, give “Aardvark Altar” calls, or write a “Gopher Gospel.” But rather, he “read the room” and knew His audience. If He had not been that specific, they would have naturally assumed the Great Commission only extended to Jewish people, and possibly Samaritans. But because Jesus said “every creature”, it left the door wide open to Gentiles like us to receive His Salvation.
Another thing jumped out at me while reading the first passage I quoted above today. I noticed that as the Gospel continued to advance “outward” from Jerusalem until it started to touch the Gentile world, the way Peter answered all of the objections to this was:
4 But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events…
For most reasonable people, a thoughtful, articulate and orderly explanation of all the events that led up to a particular controversial decision at least brings the temperature down and sometimes even brings people into agreement.
Even Luke shares the whole sequence of events three times in the book of Acts, and the vision Peter experienced had three parts to it! So, in a sense, those of us that read this portion of Acts “hear” the voice of the Lord say 9 times: “What God has called clean, do not call unclean.”
The Gospel is controversial and there are many people who have not accepted it. The idea that we are all sinful, and are in desperate need of a Savior is offensive to some.
However, our responsibility as Christians is to “share the sequence of events”. In a sense, the Gospel story is a sequence of events. The tool I have used the most in my personal evangelism over the years is the material found in a little tract called “The Four Spiritual Laws.” They give me an inner outline to follow when I am sharing the sequence of events in the salvation story.
God loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives
I realize that there are plenty of people who balk at the idea of God having a “wonderful plan” for their lives, especially if they have lived lives that have been anything but wonderful. But I try to communicate this in terms of His wonderful plan for their eternal Salvation.
Sin separates us from God
I say “us” because I want people to understand that we are all “in the same boat” and that the Gospel is for all. I am no better than the person I am witnessing to, but they are also equally “save-able” to me. I want them to feel that.
Jesus Christ’s sacrifice bridges the gap that sin created
This is where I get to quote everyone’s favorite verse..the Gospel in one verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
We must individually receive Christ as our Savior
I like to talk about Romans 10, verses 9 and 10 at this point;
“...if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
So this is the part of the sequence of events where I might invite them to pray with me, and even that I want to help them by inviting them to repeat after me. In my mind, I have another outline that helps me to keep the sequence of things orderly when I ask them to pray with me. It’s as easy as A, B, C and D
Admit: Gracious God, I come to you today, aware of my own sinfulness. I admit my need for you. I repent of all my sins and ask you to forgive and cleanse me completely.
Believe: I believe in my heart that you suffered and died for me Lord Jesus, and I believe you rose from the dead.
Confess: Jesus, I confess with my mouth that you are my Lord.
Dedicate: And I dedicate my entire life to you. Lead me Lord, I am yours. In the name of Jesus I pray. amen
So, when I am sharing the Gospel’s “sequence of events”, I also want to be sensitive to the personal needs and questions of the person I am talking to as well as the leading of the Holy Spirit in the moment. This can take us potentially on some side roads, but when I have this orderly sequence in my heart and mind, I can always get us back on the main path and keep us moving forward.
What works for you? Have you ever written out your testimony a few times, refining and editing it as you go? I think every one of us in the VCC family should do this. After all, the Great Commission reads “AS you go, make disciples of all nations…” I’m always going somewhere, so I need to be ready as I’m going to give an orderly account, as Luke said…or, as Peter did, accurately relate the sequence of events for people.
PRN: Father in Heaven, we pray today that You would help us prepare and always be ready to give an orderly account and an understandable sequence of events where the Gospel is concerned. Please help us to have tongues like the pens of ready writers when You bring people across our path who are ready to hear what You have to say through us. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
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