Spring 2019
Reformed Quarterly Volume 9, Issue 1 Dr. Roger Nicole is a visiting professor of Theology at RTS in Orlando. Formerly, he was professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he served for 43 years. He is the author of
Moyse Amyrat: A Bibliography and co-author of
A Bibliography of B.B. Warfield.
For many Christians, sharing their faith one-on-one with another person looms as a bewildering and, perhaps, frightening challenge of mastering all the correct theology and Scripture. Thus intimidated, they rarely rise to that challenge. However, it does not have to be this way. The account of Philip the evangelist in Acts 8:26-40 offers exciting and helpful principles to help believers comfortably share their faith in a dynamic way.
For many Christians, sharing their faith one-on-one with another person looms as a bewildering and, perhaps, frightening challenge of mastering all the correct theology and Scripture. Thus intimidated, they rarely rise to that challenge. However, it does not have to be this way. The account of Philip the evangelist in Acts 8:26-40 offers exciting and helpful principles to help believers comfortably share their faith in a dynamic way.
THE RIGHT MESSAGE
Philip preached about Jesus, Who is the true center of the Christian faith. Less skillful people may start discussing the church, intending to encourage others to attend services with them. But this unnecessarily postpones their decision for Christ and often opens up an inconclusive discussion as to which is the "true church." Similarly, a number of topics may be at the periphery of the faith, while Jesus Christ is at the center, and an appropriate witness should always point a person toward Him. We can, in fact, assert that Philip preached "Jesus and Him crucified," for the passage of Scripture which he was explaining is Isaiah 53, which centers on the redemptive suffering of our Lord.THE RIGHT BASIS FOR THE MESSAGE
Philip used Scripture as the basis for his message. Many have attempted to use reason and to argue unbelievers into an acceptance of Christianity. Now it is true there are good reasons why the Christian faith is the best option for fallen humanity, but an argument often functions as a psychological challenge to resistance. Apologetics has its place, but it is not the primary tool of evangelism, and few people come to faith along this line. God has made no promise about the effectiveness of reasoning, but He did make a promise about His word:As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return unto it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Is. 55:10,11).But some say, "I don't know the Word that well!" The answer is: it is your business to know it. Do not ever think that Bible knowledge is a prerogative of professional Christian workers; it is indispensable for every Christian witness, and every Christian should be a witness! Still others will object, "But those whom I would reach do not believe the Bible!" And the answer is: never mind that! Leave it to God's Spirit to accompany His Word and to make it effective as He promised in Isaiah. Philip had the joy of seeing this instantaneously. Such a blessing is also granted to us sometimes, but more often the statement of Ecclesiastes applies: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (Eccl. 11:1)
