Speaking Thoroughly

  

DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

SPEAKING THOROUGHLY

Acts 19:8-12

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

NIV

It is not difficult to imagine that some became obstinate and refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. Our culture today is full of the same types of obstinate people. For the most part, this is not among the normal people, but it surely exists in those who are well-known in the political and entertainment arenas, and within the major media outlets. Of course, we, being the little people have nothing to do with them as far as being able to speak to them regarding our Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, with Paul, those who publicly maligned the Way were mostly religious leaders among the Jewish community in Ephesus or at least very vocal members of the local synagogue. There is a saying within the retail community that a satisfied customer will tell at least three people they know about their experience, while a dissatisfied customer will tell everyone they know. It appears this held true within the Jewish community in Ephesus. Nevertheless, we still get the message about speaking boldly and doing it consistently over a period of time. This may not excuse us from speaking boldly to one person who we encounter but only once. However, it is an example of the staying power of continual conversations with those who have daily encounters with. There is also a lesson here about taking disciples and having daily discussions regarding the Way, and Paul did this for two years. What we are told is that everyone in that community heard the word of the Lord. Where can we go to have daily discussions about the word of the Lord? Even within the community of faith, we normally have but one day, and perhaps two, if there is some kind of bible study group that meets on a day other than on Sunday. This would fit somewhat with Paul did taking the disciples to the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Again, because of the Greek word that is an extension of the meaning of dialog, it might appear that Paul was the only speaker, although this word can also mean preach or to say thoroughly, which still implies his disciples may not have had much to add to the discussion. However, we do wonder just how much Paul could say thoroughly for two years, without repeating over and over again his same knowledge of and experience with Jesus. Still, because of all the letters we have within the scriptures that he authored under the inspiration of the Spirit, we know his knowledge of how to live in accordance with pleasing God was quite extensive. Therefore, we might also think that his talks, preaching, dialoguing, and saying thoroughly were inspired by the Spirit. Paul was certainly full of the Spirit as we are also told God did extraordinary things through Paul. What we learn here is to always be ready for God to do extraordinary things through us, because we too are full of the Spirit and that also means that we should be always speaking thoroughly about the things of the Lord. God has filled us with His Spirit and given us a voice with which he desires us to use. It does not matter if we can take some disciples to a hall, or church and speak thoroughly with them, or if we take an opportunity to speak fully with whoever we encounter. The point is that we cannot remain the silent minority, but that our voice is heard throughout the area.