Allen: unworthy of eternal life?

Monday, September 24, 2018
Meditation:
    Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
    —Acts 13:46-47 (NIV)
Quotation:
    [Continued from yesterday]
    The possibility of rejection was ever present. St. Paul did not establish himself in a place and go on preaching for years to men who refused to act on his teaching. When once he had brought them to a point where decision was clear, he reminded that they should make their choice. If they rejected him, he rejected them... He did not simply “go away;” he openly rejected those who showed themselves unworthy of his teaching. It was part of the Gospel that men might “judge themselves unworthy of eternal life.” It is a question which needs serious consideration whether the Gospel can be truly presented if this element is left out.
    ... Roland Allen (1869-1947), Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or ours?, London: World Dominion Press, 1927, reprinted, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1962, p. 75 (see the book)
    See also Acts 13:46-47; Isa. 49:5-8; Matt. 21:43; Luke 14:16-24; John 1:11; Acts 7:51; 18:6
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, show me the people to whom we should preach. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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