How the apostles preached

One Gospel – different doors

The content of the Gospel never changes. Paul wrote: “though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Yet when we read the book of Acts, the apostles did not always begin with the same sentence. Paul explains why: “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

The message stays the same; the entry point changes depending on what the listener already knows. In Acts we can see three patterns.

1. To those who knew the Scriptures

Examples: Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) and in Solomon’s porch (Acts 3:12-26); Paul in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) and in Thessalonica (Acts 17:2-3).

The Jews knew the Law and the Prophets, so the apostles started there:

• The Scriptures and the promises – “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16).
• Jesus is the promised Messiah – Paul reasoned “out of the scriptures… that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again… and that this Jesus… is Christ” (Acts 17:2-3).
• Sin named clearly – “ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23); “ye denied the Holy One and the Just” (Acts 3:14).
• God raised Him up – “whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).
• The call – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ… and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
• The return – “he shall send Jesus Christ… whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:20-21).

2. To those who did not know the Scriptures

Examples: Lystra (Acts 14:15-17) and Athens (Acts 17:22-31).

Quoting the prophets would have meant nothing to pagans, so Paul started with what they could see:

• God the Creator – “God that made the world and all things therein… in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:24, 28). In Lystra he spoke of “the living God, which made heaven, and earth” and gave “rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons” (Acts 14:15-17).
• A bridge from what they had – in Athens he began with their altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:23).
• Sin named – idolatry and “the times of this ignorance” (Acts 17:29-30).
• The command to repent – “but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).
• Judgment and resurrection – “he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

Even without quoting Scripture, every sentence was biblical truth – and the sermon still ended with Jesus raised from the dead.

3. To seekers

Examples: the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:26-39) and Cornelius (Acts 10:34-48).

These people were already seeking God, so the apostles started with what was in front of them:

• What they were already reading or had heard – “Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35) – the scripture was Isaiah 53. Peter began with what Cornelius had heard about Jesus’ life (Acts 10:37-38).
• The cross and resurrection – “whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day” (Acts 10:39-40).
• Forgiveness for everyone who believes – “whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
• The Spirit and baptism – the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius’ household and they were baptized (Acts 10:44-48); the Ethiopian asked, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36).

The sermons in Acts and the six steps

Sermon	1 Sin	2 Jesus	3 Cross and resurrection	4 Repentance	5 Water and Spirit	6 Return and judgment
Peter, Acts 2	2:23, 36-37	2:22, 36	2:23-32	2:38	2:38-41	2:20-21, 34-35
Peter, Acts 3	3:13-15	3:14, 22	3:15, 18	3:19	–	3:20-21
Peter, Acts 10	10:43	10:36-38	10:39-41	10:43; 11:18	10:44-48	10:42
Paul, Acts 13	13:38-39	13:23, 38-39	13:28-37	13:24	13:24	13:40-41
Paul, Acts 17	17:29-30	17:31	17:31	17:30	–	17:31

What was always the same

1. Jesus crucified and risen was always the centre – “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
2. There was always a call to respond – “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21); and in practice baptism and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 19:1-6).
3. They stood on God’s Word – even in Athens every statement was the truth of Scripture.
4. They started where the listener was – but did not stop until they reached Jesus.
5. They preached in the power of the Holy Spirit – “my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4; see Acts 4:29-31).

How to use this

Our six steps are the full content of the Gospel in teaching order – the same order as in the letter to the Romans (sin, justification, the cross, the new life, the Spirit, the hope of glory). In a real conversation you may enter through a different door:

• with someone who knows the Bible – through the prophecies about Jesus;
• with someone who does not know God – through the Creator, conscience and the day of judgment;
• with a seeker – through what they are already reading or asking.

Whatever the door, make sure that in the end all six steps are said.