Acts 14:15 And saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like feeling as you, and announce the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all things in them; (16) Who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to go their ways. (17) And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
Here [verse 15 above] we see that Paul's preaching to these Gentiles is based on God's creation. In verse 16 Paul and Barnabas went on to say that God "in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to go their ways." Then in verse 17 they uttered a touching word, a word to touch the hearts of the listeners: "And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." This was very good gospel preaching. It was based on God's creation, and eventually it touched the hearts of the hearers. This word is brief, but it is revealing and touching. He gave a brief message that unveiled God as the creator of the entire universe. He also spoke an inspiring word that touched the heart of the people. Paul seemed to be saying, "Throughout the generations, God allowed you to go your own way. He did not punish you, but He did many good things for you. He gave you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, and He filled your hearts with food and gladness." Let us all learn of Paul and follow his way of preaching the gospel.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Acts, p. 337. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
To unsubscribe from the mailing list, either: Send an email to: [email protected] (No subject or message needed; a blank email will work) or visit www.emanna.com and fill out the unsubscribe form there.
