How can we ensure our evangelism is rooted in truth, as in Acts 8:25? Setting the Scene Philip’s Spirit-led work in Samaria had just borne fruit. Peter and John arrive, lay hands on the new believers, confront Simon’s hypocrisy, and then verse 25 describes their departure. The Spirit gives us a snapshot of evangelism that is firmly anchored to truth and verified by apostolic witness. Key Verse “After they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many of the Samaritan villages.” (Acts 8:25) Observations from Acts 8:25 • “Testified” – They declared firsthand, eyewitness truth about Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:8). • “Spoken the word of the Lord” – Their message was Scripture-saturated, not opinion-driven (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13). • “Preaching the gospel” – Their method remained consistent; the same good news for every village (Romans 1:16). • “Many villages” – Truth travels; they didn’t limit proclamation to receptive crowds but sowed broadly (Mark 16:15). Principles for Truth-Rooted Evangelism 1. Ground every word in God’s Word • John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” • Read, study, and memorize Scripture so the gospel you share is Scripture itself, not mere summary. 2. Maintain doctrinal clarity • Galatians 1:8 – Any “gospel” contrary to the apostolic message is accursed. • Guard against mixing cultural slogans, self-help clichés, or political talking points with the saving message of Christ crucified and risen. 3. Speak from personal conviction • 1 John 1:1-3 – The apostles announced what they had “seen and heard.” • Share how the Lord has transformed you; authenticity reinforces biblical truth. 4. Handle Scripture accurately • 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Rightly dividing the word of truth.” • Use context, explain terms, and avoid proof-texting so listeners receive the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27). 5. Depend on the Spirit’s power • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – Faith must rest on God’s power, not eloquence. • Pray before, during, and after conversations, trusting Him to convict and illuminate hearts (John 16:8-11). 6. Model integrity • Philippians 2:15-16 – Shine as lights, “holding fast the word of life.” • Lifestyle credibility keeps the message from being dismissed as hypocrisy. 7. Keep Christ central • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – The core: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. • Every illustration, testimony, or apologetic point should draw hearers back to the person and work of Jesus. 8. Cultivate gracious communication • Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” • Truth without grace breeds resistance; grace without truth produces emptiness. Both are vital. Putting It into Practice • Begin each day in Scripture, asking the Lord to fix your heart on gospel essentials. • Carry a pocket Bible or app so you can read verses aloud when opportunities arise. • Before sharing, silently ask the Spirit to guard your words and guide the listener. • When explaining salvation, quote or paraphrase key passages (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9). Let the text do the heavy lifting. • After conversations, follow up with a verse-centered resource (a Gospel of John, a solid tract, or a text message with Scripture). • Stay teachable; keep refining your understanding so the message you share remains pure, clear, and powerful. |
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