Two Street Preachers

Last night we went to an auto show and stopped on the way home for dessert. Outside the restaurant a few people were handing out pamphlets. One of them was standing on a box preaching. His message was simple, mostly a repetition of “Believe and be saved.” I wondered if anyone understood his message. Believe what? Be saved from what? The man’s heart was in it but did his words need more explanation?

This morning, I opened my Bible to Acts and read the first recorded sermon of the early church. A crowd gathered in wonder at those who were filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Peter explained this was a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, reviewing history familiar to them. Then he shared God’s plan beginning with some words from the OT:

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

In other words, Peter connected with his audience. Before he got to the main message, he told them why he was there. Then he said this:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22–24)

This was astonishing. Jesus did not die at the hands of men who hated Him; He died because God planned it! Peter had their attention.

He continued to explain how Jesus fulfilled the words of David, their beloved king . . .  

“Being therefore a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:30–33)

Peter reviewed what his hearers already knew, connecting it with what they were now seeing.

I think again of the street preacher. How could he connect with them not knowing anything about them? Could he speak of universal needs, like the need for forgiveness, for peace of heart, for a fresh start? Would connect if the people knew he understood human need? Or that his own need had been met by an encounter with Jesus?

Of course the big challenge for anyone standing on a soap box is catching the attention of those who walk by. They could hear only one or two sentences making it difficult to convey good news of salvation. Obviously, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and given words to say. The passage tells what happened:

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37–41)

God uses all this to make an impact on me. I may never be called to stand on a soapbox, but whatever God wants from me must be done in the power of His Spirit. I cannot know what to do or say without His grace and wisdom. Besides, no one will listen to me without the Holy Spirit opening their hearts.

In Peter’s case, God set up a scenario where people were curious — why are these people able to speak in different languages? They stopped to listen and God gave Peter the way to explain the answer using Scripture the people would know. He also blessed him with the ability to connect his explanation with Jesus and why God had sent Him. Nothing I do for the Lord can be approached without prayer and without surrendering myself to Him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I tend to measure the success of what I do by the results. Reading Acts shows me You used Peter’s sermon to reach three thousand who received his word and were baptized. But what about the man on the street corner? Assuming he was there because You told him to do it, how would he feel as people ignored him, refused the pamphlets, and even laughed in his face or mocked Him? How am I with obedience that shows nothing in return for it? Does obedience always set the world on fire? Or are You looking for faithfulness rather than a flood of converts? Can I obey You even if there seems to be no reason for it? Today You give me much to ponder!