In Acts 19:8, Paul takes the gospel into the synagogue and reasons with the Jews about the Kingdom. To begin, we look at Acts 1:6-8 where the disciples ask about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Jesus answered that it was not their prerogative to know times and epochs which the Father has fixed. They were to receive the Power of the Holy Spirit and be witnesses. As in previous discussion about Luke-Acts, we see that the message is to be brought to the ends of the earth, starting in Jerusalem. As we look at the synagogue preaching in Ephesus, we compare this with other passages in Acts. Interestingly, Paul was reasoning about the "kingdom of God" in this synagogue. The term for 'reasoning' is used in Acts in the context of public debate. This included in Jewish and Gentile contexts (as we will see in Acts 19:9). In class we discuss the nature of the great commission and the role of the church in the world. The key question is whether we are to Christianize the pagan society as many have claimed throughout church history. It is noteworthy that in Luke 4:18, 19 Jesus cited Isaiah 61:1, 2 but left out the last part where Isaiah spoke of the day of vengeance. We also looked at the need to go into the arena of public debate with a strong, biblical message that will hold up under scrutiny. In that regard, every message in the Book of Acts included the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. This included preaching in pagan forums.
SERMON ACTIVITY
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