Everything in a Verse – Insights into Witnessing
By Ralph Ausanio
While reading a novel written by a mainstream Christian author, I found myself irritated over a statement he had made. In his book he had asked the question, “Should I quote Acts 2:38 or John 3:16 to help someone who was going through a trying time?” In other words, can either one of these scriptures help this individual through the loss that they have experienced? Can it take away the pain of a lost loved one? Can it cure a disease? Can it give peace in the time of trouble? Can it bring joy when there is just heartache all around?
While at first my spirit was stirred because I thought, “How dare he make light of the greatest message ever preached!” (Acts 2:12-41). I began to realize that there was some truth to what he was saying. We need to negotiate people from where they are to where the Lord wants to bring them. For instance, someone who has lost a loved one needs to feel the peace and comfort of Jesus Christ (John 14:27). Someone who is depressed needs to feel the love and joy of Jesus Christ (Romans 14:17). Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
As much as I do agree in parlaying one to Christ from where they are, the final destination must be Acts 2:38! This verse embodies the heart of God. It is a verse that restores mankind to the one true living God. Our God is a God of restoration (II Corinthians 5:19). From the Garden of Eden until 2007 God has been restoring mankind back to himself He is continually calling unto the children of men to return to him.
Therefore, in order for one to feel or to ascertain all that Jesus has for them, for one to grab hold of the promises of the good book, they need to take hold of Acts 2:38. This is where mercy and grace are mixed together. This is where hope and the power of God intermingle to give mankind the life that was once ordained for us to have.
We must all use wisdom in leading people to Acts 2:38 but we must never make light of its true power and answer to the problems of life. When someone submits to its command, a door opens to a life that is ordered by Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). If there is a verse in the Bible that encompasses all that God is and what he has for us it is Acts 2:38. It is everything in a verse.
“Everything in a Verse – Insights into Witnessing”. Written by Ralph Ausanio.
