THE CONVERSION SPECTRUM (1 OF 4)
by Zach Terry
Scripture: 1 Chronicle 12:32
This content is part of a series.
The Conversion Spectrum (1 of 4)
Series: Apologetics: Asking for a Friend
Zach Terry
1 Chronicle 12:32
INTRODUCTION: BRING UP FIRST SLIDE OF PETER AND PAUL...Christianity was born in Israel, specifically in the city of Jerusalem. It was born into a distinctly Jewish context. It was built on the foundation of the Old Testament.
So in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost when Peter preaches the first sermon ever FROM the church - he grounds his arguments on the claims of the Old Testament, stories they were very familiar with and had accepted as true. ??Think about it - there were certain presuppositions that they all held in common.
There is one God - they were monotheists.
God had spoke through the Prophets as recorded in the OT canon.
God promised to send a Messiah to rule and reign as King.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, makes a case for Jesus being the Messiah and 3000 people are converted on the spot.
Later, in Acts 17 we see Paul taking to the city of Athens to people who had no Category for MonoTheism, much less the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - nor the long anticipated Jewish Messiah, the Jesus Christ.
So as Paul stood on Mar's Hill to address the Men of Athens, do you expect he will do so in the same way Peter preached on the day of Pentecost? Not at all, in fact the two sermons were radically different because the crowds were different.
Paul begins with the concept of ONE GOD who created the world and everything in it, as opposed to a Pantheon of gods reprinted by the idol of Athens.
Then he speaks of mankind all coming from a single ancestor rather than each nation coming from their particular patron deity.
He contrasts this concept of God to their pagan idols. Then tells them they are accountable to this God who will one day Judge them.
Did 3,000 people get saved? No... as a matter of fact many mocked him... but a few wanted to know more.
So the presentation was different and the result was different.
...
Series: Apologetics: Asking for a Friend
Zach Terry
1 Chronicle 12:32
INTRODUCTION: BRING UP FIRST SLIDE OF PETER AND PAUL...Christianity was born in Israel, specifically in the city of Jerusalem. It was born into a distinctly Jewish context. It was built on the foundation of the Old Testament.
So in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost when Peter preaches the first sermon ever FROM the church - he grounds his arguments on the claims of the Old Testament, stories they were very familiar with and had accepted as true. ??Think about it - there were certain presuppositions that they all held in common.
There is one God - they were monotheists.
God had spoke through the Prophets as recorded in the OT canon.
God promised to send a Messiah to rule and reign as King.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, makes a case for Jesus being the Messiah and 3000 people are converted on the spot.
Later, in Acts 17 we see Paul taking to the city of Athens to people who had no Category for MonoTheism, much less the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - nor the long anticipated Jewish Messiah, the Jesus Christ.
So as Paul stood on Mar's Hill to address the Men of Athens, do you expect he will do so in the same way Peter preached on the day of Pentecost? Not at all, in fact the two sermons were radically different because the crowds were different.
Paul begins with the concept of ONE GOD who created the world and everything in it, as opposed to a Pantheon of gods reprinted by the idol of Athens.
Then he speaks of mankind all coming from a single ancestor rather than each nation coming from their particular patron deity.
He contrasts this concept of God to their pagan idols. Then tells them they are accountable to this God who will one day Judge them.
Did 3,000 people get saved? No... as a matter of fact many mocked him... but a few wanted to know more.
So the presentation was different and the result was different.
...
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