Jump Start # 1692

Acts 17:2-3 “And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’”

  Did you watch the presidential debate Monday night? It was promoted as “The debate of the century.” Early numbers report that 85 million people watched part or all of the debate. Moderator Lester Holt, who is a member of the Manhattan church of Christ, has been criticized as leaning too much to one side during the debate. Discussing differences, whether political, social or even religious is not something unique to our times and our country. Our verse today shows the apostle Paul doing that very thing in Thessalonica. The expression, “reasoned with them,” actually means to debate.

Religious debates were once very popular in the 1800’s and early part of the 1900’s. Scores of people saw clearly what the Bible taught because of those debates. When one side misused verses, was inconsistent or simply could not answer solid Biblical arguments, the truth prevailed. But times have changed. Religious debates have fallen to the wayside in an age of getting along and tolerance. Folks do not try to Biblically prove that they are right any more. They simply do what they want, with or without Bible authority.

Our verses today remind us of some great principles that are helpful to us.

First, Paul’s habit, or custom, was to reason with people from the Scriptures. He went to the Bible. That was normal for Paul. We could learn from this. Keep pulling that Bible out and keep checking things in it. That’s what we must do. We reason from feelings. We reason from what makes sense to us. We reason from what we like. We reason from history. Our reasoning needs to come from Scriptures. Jesus also had “custom.” He went to the synagogue, Luke tells us, as was His custom. When Judas came with soldiers to arrest Jesus, he knew the place where the Lord would be. Jesus was in the garden praying. He had been there often. Judas knew. Do you have spiritual customs? Do you start the day with any spiritual routines? It might help your walk with the Lord to do that. Some, are reading these Jump Starts as a part of their daily custom. We are glad to be a part of your day and your walk with the Lord.

Second, Paul was patient. The text tells us that he reasoned with them for three Sabbaths. Three Sabbaths means three Saturdays, that’s three weeks. Paul wasn’t one and done. He stayed and taught and taught. Many folks need to hear things more than once. Don’t be in a hurry. Explain and teach carefully. The following verses reveal the outcome. It says, “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and a number of leading women.” It paid off. The three Sabbaths of teaching and explaining things worked. People saw the truth. People become convinced. They were believers. There may be that person in your family that hasn’t been persuaded. Don’t give up. It may take time. Be patient. Teach. Show. Illustrate. Pray.

Third,  Paul reasoned. To reason means to debate. That very idea means some had other ideas. Some were challenging Paul. Some shot arguments back at him. This is the process of learning and conversion. Expect some push back. Some stop when this happens. Some assume that they are not interested and they end the discussion way too soon. The “debate” atmosphere means an exchange of ideas. A point is countered. That counter point is countered. Back and forth. Reasoning does not have to be loud, ugly or name calling. Some have a sour taste when it comes to debating because of what they have witnessed in the past. I don’t think Paul had a formal debate, with set time and a moderator, and a detailed proposition that he was defending. That is too often our image of a debate. Paul was simply teaching. Some were questioning what he said. Paul answered their questions. When they challenged Paul, he answered those challenges. Moms and dads do this all the time with their teenagers. The kid wants to stay up late on a school night. Parents think it’s time to go to bed. An exchange of reasoning takes place. We don’t view that as a debate. We simply call it parenting, but it’s similar to what Paul was going through. It’s what you experience when you are in discussions with co-workers and family members about spiritual things.

Fourth, Paul reasoned and explained things from the Scriptures. That’s the powerful point there. His proof was not what he thought, felt, or experienced. It wasn’t about him. The word of God was the final answer. Paul didn’t get into this, “Here’s how I see it,” nor, “I think it ought to be this way.” His arguments, his reasoning, his proof, came from the Scriptures. This means that he knew the word of God. He knew how to use it accurately. He knew how to explain it. He knew how it showed that Jesus was the Christ. There is way too much, “I think…” today. There is too much reasoning from nonbiblical sources today. Paul’s answers and Paul’s line of thinking came from God’s word. To argue with Paul meant you were arguing with God. To disagree with Paul meant you were disagreeing with God. We need to stop comparing churches. It’s not which church is doing more, is bigger or is more active. Reason from the Scriptures. Notice also, Paul didn’t just state a verse, he gave evidence. He proved that Jesus had to die. We can use verses like Dr. Hook’s magical medicine pills. Just read this verse and that solves everything. Satan used a verse in the temptation of Jesus. He misused it, but he put it out there. Paul explained things from the Scriptures. The Bible leads us to Jesus. The Galatians were told that the law was a tutor to lead us to Christ. That’s the way Scriptures work. When explained and understood properly, they reveal with will of God.

Shouting, getting upset, threatening, attacking one’s character—none of those things prove that a person is right Scripturally. Don’t twist things to make things say what you want them to. Don’t be dishonest in explaining things. Let the word of God work on a honest and good heart. It will do the job.

Reasoning. Explaining. Teaching. Defending. Showing. These are the common components of teaching God’s word. It worked back then for Paul and it still works today. Don’t run because someone challenges what you say. Spend some time showing why you believe what you do. Use that Bible of yours. Let them read verses in their own Bible.

Presidential debates give me a headache. Biblical discussions, on the other hand, can lead to changes lives and hearts that are walking with the Lord.

Roger