Robert Wurtz II
The History of the De-Emphasis Of The New Birth
Section V – Rediscovering Evangelism in the First Century
When we rewind the tape and return to the first century we find an entirely different method of ministry when it comes to ‘invitations’ to come to Christ. Even in the days of Wesley, Whitefield, and Finney we do not read of responses like we find in Acts. We read of folk falling from their seats or clinging to the posts of the building (Edwards), but how often have we heard that the folk cried out, “Men, what must we do to be saved?”
Peter on the Day of Pentecost concluded his sermon with these words, ‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Coming from 40 days of seeking the Lord, it took but a simple message to reach the hearts of this people who were crying crucify several weeks before. Notice their reaction to Peter’s preaching, ‘Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ (Acts 236-37). This response was the result of the working of the Holy Spirit through the word of God alone. Notice their was no music playing or sad songs being sung. That day the apostles witnessed the genuine conversion of three thousand people and when the word of God says they were ‘added’ we can rest assured that the conversions were legit.
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