Our Witness for Christ

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

March 3, 2021

Our Witness for Christ

“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”

Acts 13:23

Read: Acts 13:13-25       

From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas sailed back to Turkey and traveled to Pisidian Antioch, which was located in west-central Turkey. Following their pattern, Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue, and there we see yet another pattern. Paul always would begin where the people are. He started first with their own Jewish history, and through the brief summary, he began to show how God’s plan of redemption is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

As I read today’s passage, I was struck by Paul’s assumption that his audience of Jews, far removed from Jerusalem, were very familiar with current events in Israel. Paul’s first mention of Jesus is proclaiming that “God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.” (v.23) The same is true for John the Baptist, being only referred to as John, assuming his audience knew of the voice calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Jesus. (Luke 3:4)

My Takeaway: I saw Paul’s pattern modeled in a TV show recently. (NCIS) One of the character’s (Jimmy) wife died during the pandemic, and he wasn’t able to be with her or to tell her good-bye. Another of the characters (Gibbs), had a similar life experience. Gibbs was able to meet Jimmy where he was and help him move further through the stages of grief. Our witnessing for Christ can follow this same pattern. Meet a person where they are and share out of our own experience with Christ.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.