Over the past several articles, this site has looked at what Acts 2 teaches Christians about how to share our faith with others. Without some context, though, I suppose that “share your faith” is kind of a funny term. Some people (both Christians and non-Christians alike) think that this just means telling other people that they are going to spend eternity away from God, but even a cursory read of the Bible confirms that the good news about Jesus Christ is meant to be shared. Furthermore, new believers in Jesus are welcome to share in the family of God, and to share in the Holy Spirit of God.
It is a great thing to be restored to God, and to learn how much He loves us. For a Christian to share that good news with others isn’t about “earning points” or “following rules”, but rather a demonstration of love for someone else, offering them the opportunity to enjoy the same kinds of blessings.
To be clear, there are many ways to share our faith:
- You may have learned some verses from the book of Romans (sometimes called “the Romans road” that highlight key points about why we need Jesus and how we accept salvation through Him.
- Or, the Gospel can be shared through a testimony, when one or more Christians (followers of Jesus Christ) explain the great things that God has done in their lives, and how others can experience the same thing.
- Other ways to share the gospel include something as simple as inviting a friend to church, where they can hear about Jesus from others.
- And, there are other ways to share the Gospel as well, including handing out tracts (which my father-in-law did a lot of) and telling people about Jesus online (which I do through this website).
For those of us who follow Jesus, no matter how many ways that we know how to share this message about our sins and Jesus’ offer of redemption (which is really a pretty simple message), I hope that this study of Acts 2 will help us add to our capabilities and our confidence, and perhaps – with the Holy Spirit’s help – God will let us be part of thousands of people being added to the church in a single day, yet again.
Let me leave you with this blessing: may we be bold and prepared as we tell the good news about Jesus Christ to other people, not because we’re super-confident in our own skills or because we are really smart, but because we have allowed the Holy Spirit to direct our lives, and because He wants others to experience the same blessings.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for September 3, 2023
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
Those Who Sin Differently 