Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified. (Acts 2:36)

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:42)

But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:5)

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

The Message was Target-Sensitive
The gospel proclamation had certain common elements, but was usually augmented to address additional topics depending upon the audience. To the Jews, it might include a discussion of how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament definition of Messiah, especially the rejection, death and restoration of the Christ. There might also be a discussion of various miracles and signs, or perhaps a discussion of "royal" themes-- the rise of the Kingdom of God and Jesus as the heir to David's throne.

To the Gentiles, there was an additional emphasis on the "newness" of Christianity compared to Judaism-- that Christ has superceded the Jewish law and now the Gentiles are included in God's plan. There was also talk of God's sovereignty over creation and his appointment of Jesus as Lord. There might also be talk of the excellency of God's ways compared to other belief systems.

The Message Produced Faith
Since faith was the key to conversion and subsequent faithful living, it was the primary objective of evangelism:

How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- [27] to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)

And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" [38] And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] "For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." [40] And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" (Acts 2:37-40)

Copyright © 2002 John Engler. All rights reserved.