Camp 105 – How Did Paul Preach the Gospel

Welcome to Revival Boot Camp. This week we will learn how Paul witnessed to Idol Worshipers. Perhaps you don’t know any idol worshipers, but I believe that this method of witnessing will be very helpful in witnessing to Americans. Even though many people profess to be Christians, many have never heard the true gospel message.

Before we begin, I would like to remind you of the witnessing tips we have learned so far. We will add to these this week.

Witnessing Tips from Jesus, John the Baptist and Peter

1. Preach or teach that people should repent of their sins.
2. Warn them of judgment to come.
3. Be specific about sin by using the 10 commandments.
4. Give the gospel message that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures and there were many witnesses.
5. Remember when witnessing to use scripture, because it is the sword that will pierce the heart like nothing else can or will.

Read Acts 17:16-34

We learn in verses 16-17 that Paul was in the city of Athens, which was a city full of idols. He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles as well as in the market place. Many do not realize that our churches are full of people who need to hear the gospel message. I attend a large church so it would be foolish of me to believe that everyone is saved. Not only did Paul witness in the synagogues, but he also reasoned in the market place. Many people are afraid to share their faith in public. We put “come get me” signs in front of our churches, expecting the lost to come find us. This is not the way that Paul witnessed. Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We cannot wait for the lost to find us, rather we must find them.

In the market place, these men were intrigued by the teaching that Paul was proclaiming. They actually wanted to hear more about his God. Paul took this as an opportunity to share the gospel. Let’s read on to see how he did this.

Look at verses 22-23. Paul begins with a complement to these men. He recognizes the fact that they are “very religious”. Many Americans are just like these Athenians. These people are religious, but do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 23, Paul decides to use a sign he had seen in Athens as a spring board to move from natural to the supernatural. The sign read, “To an Unknown God”. Paul decides to tell them about this “Unknown God”.

In verse 24 he tells them about the  God who made the world. In other words, he begins with creation. We learned last week that Peter used Old Testament scriptures to witness to the Jews. This method would have had no effect on those who had never heard of God. When witnessing to people who have little knowledge of the Bible, it is best to begin at the beginning with creation. Take a close look at verses 24-29 to see what he tells these men about the creation of the world and man.

In verses 30-31 he tells the gospel message. Paul says that all people everywhere need to repent. He makes sure they realize that this message is for everyone. He then warns them of judgment to come.

Some of these men were intrigued and wanted to hear Paul again, but some were saved. So Paul left with an invitation to return.

We shall now add to our witnessing tips. In a few weeks, I will add scriptures to these tips so you can use them when witnessing.

Witnessing Tips from Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul

1. Begin with Creation
2. Preach or teach that people should repent of their sins.
3. Warn them of judgment to come.
4. Be specific about sin by using the 10 commandments.
5. Give the gospel message that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures and there were many witnesses.
6. Remember when witnessing to use scripture, because it is the sword that will pierce the heart like nothing else can or will.