I Am Clean

S-Scripture:  Acts 18:5-6, “5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”  (KJV)

O-Observation:  Paul came to Corinth from Athens.  He stayed with Aquila and Priscilla (because they were of the same craft); tent-makers by trade.  On each Sabbath, Paul went into the Synagogues and persuaded the Jews and the Gentiles by reasoning with them from the Scriptures.  Paul preached the gospel each week in the Synagogue.  We see several things which Paul did at the Synagogue:

• He reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
• He persuaded the Jews and Greeks (many still did not believe, even though they were persuaded).
• He was pressed or burdened in the Spirit.
• He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

They responded by:

• Opposing themselves.
• Blaspheming God.

Paul’s response to their response:

• He shook off his raiment.
• He informed them that they were guilty before God, and had no excuse for their rejection of the gospel.
• He proclaimed his freedom from their guilt.  He had shared the message, they rejected, therefore, he was clean.  I.E., no blood would be upon his hands for not sharing the message of Christ.
• He forsook the Jews, and proclaimed the message to the Gentiles.

A-Application:    In our society where there are “no absolutes” how do we reach this post modern society?  We must get back to the Word of God!  Hebrews 4:12, “ 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  (KJV) 

When we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must not get discouraged, when people “oppose themselves and blaspheme”!  We must be faithful at carry the message of the gospel to those outside the Christian faith.  We have a responsibility to tell the good news.  We are never responsible for the results, but we are responsible for sharing the message.  May we have a good conscience before God when it comes to the message of the gospel.  May we be able to say as Paul said, “I am clean.” 

P-Prayer:  Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth.  Your gospel is glorious!  Your gospel is powerful!  Help me to be faithful at sharing Your message with those who are lost!  Help me to not worry about the results, but help me to be faithful in telling the wonderful story of Jesus!  It is in Jesus Name, I pray.  Amen.