Feb 15, 2018
Radical. Revolutionary. Those are terms we rarely hear used in conjunction with Christianity. Perhaps there are certain third-world countries or places governed by dictatorial or communistic regimes where Christians are still viewed in such terms, but not here in the west. If anything, we’re seen as archaic and old-fashioned, throwbacks to an earlier, more repressive era when people were less educated and enlightened. But in the 1st-Century, when Christianity was still in its infancy, the followers of Jesus were seen as both radical and revolutionary. They were troublemakers who the Jews saw as threats to their way of life and the Romans viewed as disturbers of the peace. While Paul, Silas, Peter, and the other apostles were seeing God move in incredible ways, transforming the lives of countless individuals through the message of the gospel, the opposition was growing and intensifying. All because the light of the truth of God’s grace was shining into the dark recesses of a sin-filled world. In Acts 17:1-9, we will see Paul and Silas accused of turning the world upside-down. And their accusers were right. Lives were being radically changed. Entire communities were being revolutionized by the good news concerning Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation. But while many embraced their message with open arms and receptive hearts, many more refused to listen. They rejected the messengers and their message, choosing instead to listen to the lies of the enemy and remain in the darkness and hopelessness of sin.