Romans 1-5, 10
Act. 8:1-4 Parallel/continuation passage: Acts 11:19-21 “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. “
Acts 8:4; 11:20 – ευαγγελιζομενοι – evangelizing, announce good news
Acts 11:19, 20 – λαλουντες, ελαλουν – speaking or talking
For the most part, non-ordained members of the Jerusalem church, dispersed throughout the countryside, answering questions as they traveled and tried to put a life together again – all the obvious “why” questions. Perhaps they provided the mental picture for what Peter later described in 1 Peter 3:15: “being prepared to make a defense (απολογιαν) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”.
In both instances in Acts, the ones scattered are described as speaking “the word (τον λογον)”. Clearly the source of the “good news” they were announcing had its source in God’s Word; it was not merely a word of personal testimony they were sharing with others. Further, it had the effect of turning people to the Lord.
What was it they were speaking? Perhaps as important, what should we speak when our intention is to lead someone to conversion and faith in Christ?
Remember: Salvation is a monergistic work of God; but he uses means. Ultimately the salvation of an individual depends solely on God and what he does/has done. Nothing the individual does will get him to heaven; nothing you do will either get him in or keep him out. So, when God gives you opportunity to evangelize someone, trust him for wisdom and words and then relax.
1. Made in God’s image but fallen Romans 1:18-32
The first thing which must be done in presenting the Gospel is to begin with Creation, declaring that God made man in his image with the obligation to obey God’s commands; Adam then failed his duty, fell into sin and a state of condemnation, with consequences for all mankind. Romans 1 and 5 along with the Creation story of Genesis tell the tale of mankind created perfect in righteousness and true holiness who then rebelled against God, disobeyed his command, and fell from their first estate of grace with no way to recover what had been lost.
2. A certain judgment Romans 2:5-16
Because of his sin and the fact that man is without excuse, God will judge all men according to their deeds in relationship to the righteousness required by his law. Romans 2 makes it plain that God will not wink at sin but rather will judge according to the standard, Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law. God will compare the works of the individual with the work of Christ and, yes, motive is part of the package – see 2:7-8. It all comes down to obedience for the right reasons.
3. An enemy of God and without hope Romans 3:9-20
Adam in his state of sin and condemnation was an enemy of God as is all of his posterity, without God and without hope. Romans 3 with its extensive Old Testament quotations thoroughly describe man’s condition and his attitude toward God as a fugitive from him and his law. Consider the categorical negatives of this passage – there are no exceptions to what Scripture describes of the unregenerate.
“In eitherway, the reckless wickedness of men proves that they are destitute of all proper regard of God. They act as if there were no God, no Being to whom they are responsible for their conduct, and who has the purpose and power to punish them for their iniquity.” Charles Hodge, Romans
Since no one will ever be justified by their works, apart from a “proper regard of God” there is no hope whatever.
4. An inescapable death sentence Romans 5:6-14
The penalty for sin is death, not sickness or misery or anything short of death, the only consequence for failure to keep the law of God. Accompanying the sentence of death is what is even more horrifying to consider, the wrath of God. Consider everything presented up to this point, the condition and behavior of the sinner as over against God’s righteousness requirements. His wrath against ungodliness is deserved and just; since it is part of the sentence, that means death is not the end of existence for the sinner.
5. The divinely provided Substitute Romans 5:15-21
At this point, the individual is ready to hear the good news of the substitute provided by God so that he might have life. This substitute did what he could not, living a life of perfect obedience to God’s commands, then suffered the penalty for sin on the Cross without being consumed as evidenced by his resurrection on the third day and subsequent ascension to glory. The question, then, is if the individual will put his trust in Christ as the one whom God sent to be his substitute, paying the full penalty for his sin and reconciling him to God, none of which he could do for himself.
6. Confess and repent Romans 10:5-13
The next thing that must be addressed in a Gospel presentation is that the one who understands his state of condemnation and need for a substitute to pay his atonement must confess and repent of his sin. True faith believes that the Christ of the Scriptures is the only way of salvation. Evidence of true faith is shown in confession – calling sin what God calls it, rebellion and disobedience. Further evidence is shown by repentance, a change of mind and purpose, and a radical change of lifestyle, since “God’s kindness is meant to lead [the sinner] to repentance” (Rom. 2:4; also 2 Cor. 7:10 – “godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation”).
7. How do I do that? Nehemiah 1:5-11; Psalm 51:1-15; Daniel 9:4-19
The last element of a Gospel presentation is to answer the question, “What do I do to be saved?” The answer is that the sinner who desires to embrace Christ for salvation should pray a sincere prayer of confession and repentance in which he acknowledges his inability to save himself from his state of condemnation, his acceptance of Christ as his substitute, and placing of all his trust in Christ for the complete work of salvation and sanctification. There is absolutely no salvific efficacy in this prayer – it is not the means to being saved but the response to having been saved.
8. Assurance of salvation
The believer can examine himself in the light of Scripture and see if he:
desires to keep the moral law of God, 1 John 2:15-17
obeys the law out of love for Christ, 1 John 5:2-3
puts the rules of godliness and righteousness into practice, 1 John 2:6
stays in continual fellowship and communion with Christ, 1 John 1:6-7
recognizes that the work of salvation belongs to God alone. 1 John 4:8-10, 19
These are all evidences of conversion which in addition to the internal witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16-17) give assurance of salvation.
