Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday Acts 17-18. I’m calling today’s episode “Just Do Your Job.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Elaine Casap on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 18

Something that struck me in today's reading was in verse 5 and 6. Paul had told the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, and he was opposed and slandered. Other translations use the word “blasphemed” or “became abusive” or “insulted.” His response to this treatment was interesting. What do many of us tend to do today when people don't accept our message? We try to change our approach. We try even harder to convince them that Jesus is who He said He is. But Paul shook the dust from his clothes in protest and said to them, "You are responsible for your own fates! I’m innocent! From now on I’ll go to the Gentiles!" He didn't seem to fret over saving every last person he delivered the message to. 

Folks, we need to remember that our job is merely to deliver the message as faithfully and accurately as we can. It's not our job to make them believe. We can't. It's the Holy Spirit who convinces. Yes, we must be prepared to give an answer when people ask questions, but we cannot bring about change in the human heart. Once we've delivered the message, our job is done.

That's not to say that we should take too casual an attitude about witnessing, however. Note that in verse 28, we're told that Apollos "would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate," and here is the key part of the verse, "using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ."

He defeated the Jews with the scriptures. Not his own human arguments, but with scripture. Very important. Scripture is the living Word of God. My own arguments are just the word of Steve, which isn’t worth much. But God’s Word? That’ll change someone’s eternity.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 17 NCV; Ch. 18 CEB

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Transcript

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STEVE WEBB - 0:00Scripture is the living word of God.

INTRO S12E325 - 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. What's going on? Today is Gospel Saturday and we’ll read Acts 17 and 18. I'm calling today's episode, “Just Do Your Job”. The show notes page for today's episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e325. My email address is [email protected]. And I think it's time we get started.

ACTS 17 (NCV) - 0:44Acts, chapter 17. (1) Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue. (2) Paul went into the synagogue as he always did, and on each Sabbath day for three weeks, he talked with his fellow Jews about the Scriptures. (3) He explained and proved that the Christ must die and then rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I am telling you about is the Christ.