“First Century Soul Winning”

Monday, June 11, 2018

When we look at the New Testament, especially the book of Acts, we see the tremendous success of the first century Christians in converting the lost. Acts 5:14 tells us: “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.”

Multitudes of both men and women were being saved. Multitudes. Not five or six people per year like most congregations expect these days. Multitudes. Can you try to imagine that in your mind? Is it still possible?

Let’s think for a moment about how they did that.

First, they taught “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). We do pretty well with the “publicly” part. We faithfully proclaim the truth in our meetinghouses and are willing to try to convert anyone who comes to us. But how are we doing with the “from house to house” part? I fear not so well.

Second, they brought family and friends to hear the gospel. “…Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24). How much are we doing that today? How long has it been since you personally invited your relatives and close friends to hear the good news of salvation?

Third, they taught one on one whenever they could make such opportunities. Jesus taught Nicodemus privately (John 3). He spent time together with the Samaritan woman speaking to her of spiritual things (John 4). It appears to have been just Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in the chariot (Acts 8). Are you bold enough and confident enough to go “one on one” with a lost person, with just a Bible between you? Can you sit across a kitchen table with a sinner and look him in the eye and teach him the plan of salvation? Have you ever done that, even once?

Fourth, they went to where the people were. Paul and Silas preached to some women who were at the riverside praying (Acts 16). Paul preached to Greek philosophers at Mars’ Hill in Athens (Acts 17). On the preaching journeys, they often traveled to synagogues and schools to spread the truth (Acts 19:8-10). Again, are we doing that much?

They used these simple methods and converted multitudes. We use these methods very little, if at all, and then we shake our heads and say, “No one seems interested in the gospel any more.” What’s wrong with this picture?

--Roger Hillis

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