3 Fundamental Principles That Relate to the Scriptures (Acts 17:1-4)
Introduction: 1. In the book of Acts we read about a number of great soul winners. 2. One of the greatest soul winners of all was the apostle Paul. 3. (Acts 17:1-4) We read about Paul's work in Thessalonica. a. According to vs.4, Paul won many souls in that city, including some Jews, a great multitude of Greeks, and not a few of the chief women. b. Let us notice what Paul did to win these souls. 1) Vs.2 tells us that Paul's "manner" [custom] was to "reason with people out of the Scriptures." 2) We learn from vs.3 that, as Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures, he showed that Jesus is the Christ. 4. To be effective soul winners we must be able to "reason with people out of the Scriptures." 5. To reason with people out of the Scriptures, we must agree on several fundamental principles. 6. In our lesson we are concentrating on 3 of these principles.
Discussion:
I. TO REASON WITH PEOPLE OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST AGREE THAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE GOD'S INSPIRED WORD
A. A key passage that we must agree on is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. 1. God used men in revealing the Scriptures, but the Scriptures did not come from men. 2. The Scriptures are from God. 3. God has given us the Scriptures so we can profit from them -- they are profitable in 4 areas. 4. Those who profit from the Scriptures will be complete in God's sight. B. We have plenty of evidence that proves the Scriptures are inspired. C. Soul winning involves reasoning with people out of the Scriptures. D. To reason with people out of the Scriptures, we must agree that the Scriptures are God's inspired Word.
II. TO REASON WITH PEOPLE OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST AGREE THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT IS IN EFFECT TODAY
A. The Old Testament is certainly inspired (2 Peter 1:21). B. However, the Old Testament is no longer in effect. 1. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) The old covenant prophesied that it would be replaced by a better covenant. 2. The new covenant of Christ replaced the old covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13). C. When Christ died, His new covenant became effective (Hebrews 9:15-17). D. Seeking to be justified by the old covenant is a serious mistake (Galatians 5:4). E. Soul winning involves reasoning with people out of the Scriptures. F. To reason with people out of the Scriptures, we must agree that the New Testament is in effect today.
III. TO REASON WITH PEOPLE OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES, WE MUST AGREE THAT THE SCRIPTURES MUST NOT BE ALTERED
A. (2 Timothy 2:15) We must "rightly divide" [handle accurately] the Scriptures. B. Altering God's Word is a serious mistake (Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19). C. Soul winning involves reasoning with people out of the Scriptures. D. To reason with people out of the Scriptures, we must agree that the Scriptures must not be altered.
Conclusion:
1. Paul was a great soul winner -- he led many souls to the Lord. 2. He used a successful technique -- he reasoned with people out of the Scriptures. 3. As he reasoned with people out of the Scriptures, he adhered to these 3 fundamental principles that we have studied. 4. For a practical point, Paul knew how to react when people did not believe his teaching (Acts 17:5, 10-12).
