Persuasively

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

PERSAUSIVELY

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

Two types of people are described for us. First, we have Paul, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, who speaks boldly and argues persuasively about the kingdom of God to men who were supposed to be Godly and to believe in God. Second, we have those who became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. Could this be the same in our culture today? We know there are those who are obstinate. We know some publicly malign the Way or Christianity, at least those who live by faith in Jesus Christ. But are we speaking boldly, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God? Have we simply resigned ourselves to supporting a few missionaries, thinking we are, by proxy, speaking boldly about the kingdom of God? How do we know they are speaking boldly and arguing persuasively, or are they just doing some form of ministry that is not in contact with the unbelieving world any more than we are? So then, what are we supposed to do?  We wonder whether there are people within the church who say they believe but are just a bit obstinate, though it is doubtful they would malign faith in Jesus. Perhaps, we should try speaking about the kingdom of God. Not sure if we can speak boldly or persuasively, but maybe we can just talk about the kingdom of God, both in church and to anyone we encounter in our daily lives. If we remain silent, gather only around those who believe in Jesus, and never leave the confines of the church, so to speak, then who are we, and what is our life's purpose? Of course, even Paul, as persuasive as he was, came up against the obstinate, among those within the synagogue, but he did not give up; he went into the public square. Could it be possible that if we had that kind of faith that Paul had and spoke as boldly as he did, God might do extraordinary miracles through us? There have been some who have tried to sell the idea of people giving a financial gift to get a handkerchief or something, but they were, or are, charlatans seeking fame and fortune. What we know is that we have all been called to be witnesses about the kingdom of God, and we should be talking about Jesus to everyone. The key is whether we believe strongly enough to speak persuasively.