How Paul Adapted His Message to His Audience - Acts 22
Paul's amazing
ability to adapt His message to every audience is a
demonstration of the Spirit's power and wisdom in a humble
man. The great apostle shows tact, presence of mind and an
earnest desire to see people come to saving faith in Christ.
By using his own experiences with the Lord, Paul provides
one of the best apologetical messages in the Bible. Let us
learn from some of the most significant aspects of Paul's
message in Acts 22.
Illustration: Blessings
An old legend says that at creation the birds felt cheated
and hurt because they received wings. Wings appeared to be
burdens which none of the other animals were asked to carry.
All was changed, however, when the birds learned that wings
were not burdens but blessings that borne them to the sky.
Because they were given wings they could rise above the
earth and see sights which no other animal could see. What
seemed like burdens were really blessings.
See: Gen 1:21; Psa 55:6
1. Paul spoke in Aramaic (Mixture of Hebrew and Syriac) to
gain credibility among the conservative and patriotic Jews
in the audience. Learn to speak in the language, tone and
manner that your audience will consider most credible.
Communication is only about 7% of the words we speak and the
rest is our character and love we communicate to people.
Paul was a master because He presented a message in terms
that his audience would greatly respect.
2. Paul shares that his early experience were very similar
to those of his audience. Gain identification with the
people you are speaking by showing how you have so much in
common. By telling the audience that his training was
similar to theirs he indicates that Christ's changes
affected Him supernaturally. Paul shows his audience that it
is God who is at work in us both to will and to do of His
good pleasure. We cannot please God or find eternal life
unless we allow the Spirit of God to come into our life and
change us from the inside out.
3. Paul admits his mistakes regarding his own faulty views
of the law and its capacity to bring deliverance from sin,
sorrow and suffering. When we are willing to confess our own
failings people are more open to change in their lives.
4. Paul admitted that he at one time had shared their
animosity toward Christian, but emphasizes God's direct
intervention in his life. We all have to know that God is
eager to bring us to new life in Christ as he knows the
destructive path of human nature. Sincerity is not enough to
gain the righteousness of God. Paul recounts his Damascus
road conversion as proof of God's ability to save even the
worst of sinners. There is great power in your personal
testimony if you will just share as a point of connection to
others.
5. Paul admits that he had to surrender to Christ's power in
order to receive forgiveness and redemption. People who
think they can become a Christian without expressing true
repentance are fooling themselves. When we call on the name
of the Lord we are admitted that we are lost and in need of
forgiveness from the LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ. We cannot
accept only a part of Christ into our life. We receive Him
as our Savior and King who wants to bring about great change
in our lives. There is no such thing as only accepting the
benefits of eternal salvation without trusting Christ wholly
for His work in our lives. Paul made it clear that becoming
a Christian is not a mere mechanical act of saying a prayer.
Instead saving faith involves admitting we are a sinner who
needs forgiveness from the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
6. Paul is given a commission to preach the gospel to the
Gentiles and to the Jews. God told Paul to go and tell all
that he had experienced. When we speak from personal
experience of the good things the Lord has done in our life
it will move people to greater confidence in the power of
Christ to transform even the worst of us.
7. Paul knew that his testimony would carry special weight
for those who knew his background well. Be sure that you
give people enough transparent look into your own background
that they will know you are speaking out of the way God has
worked in your life. Great speakers not only inform by
inspire people for great changes. It is nearly impossible
unless you give your audience examples of how the Lord had
powerfully worked to change your attitudes, relationships
and activities. Share with them some of your priority
ministries as evidence of the way God is giving great fruit.
People will know you by your fruit.
8. Paul knew that some of the people would reject and become
angry with his message. Expect some people to be unfavorable
toward what you have to say. Ask the Lord to give you the
grace and wisdom to move the unfavorable to more of an
accepting attitude while helping the neutral to become more
active in applying the truth while helping the favorable to
find specific ways that they can grow to higher levels of
maturity in Christ as a result of your message.
9. Paul received his persecution as a man, but defended his
right to be set free as a Roman citizen. Learn to utilize
all of your rights for the sake of the gospel. Perhaps you
need to consult with members of the Christian legal
association to appropriate all the rights you have as a
believer in your work place.
10. Paul was given another opportunity to speak before the
chief priests and their council after he was released from
his chains. Believe that the Lord will allow one good
message to provide open doors for others that will impact
people of greater influence. Never underestimate what God
can do when you obey Him in little things. Jesus said, "If
you are faithful in little things I will make you
responsible for greater ministries." (Luke 16:100 Paul's
ministry not only impacted the religious but also the
social-political and economic leaders of his day.
11. Paul trusted God to use his open air message to
influence millions in ways far beyond human imaginations. Do
not think lightly of any opportunity that the Lord might
provide you to preach or teach his word. Ask the Lord to use
you in a Sunday school class or in small Bible study or in a
conversation with someone this week. God's word never
returns without having its effects. Even though it seemed at
the time that Paul's message met with failure we know now
God turned it in to one of the world's most influential
sermons ever preached. Millions have been stirred by Paul's
faith, love, and truth. Can you also trust the Lord to do
the same with your messages, conversations and ministries?
Conclusion: If the apostle Paul were asked what he
would do with all of the present problems of fear,
unemployment, and hardship in America today he would no
doubt says, "You are more than conquerors through Him who
loves us. Do not be overcome (by over-reacting,
over-emphasizing, over-spiritualizing, over-blowing,
over-dramatizing, over-extending, over-doing something) with
evil, but overcome (over-ride, overshadow, over-look,
over-power) evil with good." (Rom. 12;21)
Paul Fritz
Answers2Prayer Subscriber
Appearing Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003