Encounter With God 21 April 2020 Devotional – Evangelistic Conversation
TODAY’S TOPIC: EVANGELISTIC CONVERSATION
Opening Prayer: Lord, make me people-conscious.
Read ACTS 26:19–32
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— Encounter With God 21 April 2020 Devotional
23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
New International Version (NIV)
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Meditate – Encounter With God 21 April 2020 Devotional
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15).
Think Further: Paul now begins to personalize his message, focusing on Festus and Agrippa. His teaching about Jesus’ death and resurrection becomes so intense that Festus protests, accusing Paul of going insane (24). Paul has clearly hit a raw nerve with Festus (as he did with Felix) (Acts 24:25), but he is undeterred and goes on to make a personal appeal to Agrippa on the basis of his belief in the Old Testament prophets. Agrippa’s response is revealing: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (28). Paul’s reply is uncompromising: “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” (29).
This interaction reveals the heart of Paul’s missionary strategy: to persuade everyone, even Procurator Festus and King Agrippa, to become followers of Christ—and this is not lost on either of them. Though Paul may be their social and fiduciary inferior, he is their superior during this interaction, and they are clearly impressed and affected by what he has to say (30–32).
Paul is continually ready to give a reason for his hope in the desire that the people with whom he interacts will become Christians. He sees his trials as a missions opportunity and is aware that if people such as those in front of him now were to believe, it could transform the spread of the Gospel throughout the larger Roman world.
We may not often speak with millionaires or politicians, but we interact every day with many people who do not know Christ. Do we have this same desire for them—and the same intention in these interactions?
Apply: Lord, may we love the people around us as You love them. May we trust You to bring good fruit when we talk to others about You.
Closing prayer: Lord, allow me to come into contact with those whose heart You have prepared to hear what I have to say.
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