Why wont they listen?

[pottersclay]

Many of the saints go to the book of acts on how the first church started, and how they functioned, but did you ever notice the two styles of preaching that peter and paul had and the reasons for it? Theres a lesson for us all.
Preaching to the jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.
The objective in short was to preach CHRIST as their promised messiah. That the law which is holy did not save but the law giver God himself was their redeemer.

Preaching this to the greek (gentiles) was foolishness. ...Why?

They had no idea of creation, one GOD, not to mention a sacraficial design. The gods that they worshipped were many. With so many beliefs and customs. So this had to be established as foundational truth.
IN SHORT....For a man to sacrafice himself for the world was foolishness to them. It just didnt make sense.

The reason for this short overview is to show the same thing is happening in todays society.
The jews still believe in the torah ....but because of the falling away from GOD over the years, the teaching of evolution rather than creation, science and technology vrs GODs word we have yet again a pagan majority.
Some may have heard of JESUS but have no idea of who or what he is. For some the gospel is foolishness . And is called hateful.
This generation have developed there own god or gods. In fact the pagan gods have returned (demons).

For those of you who share, preach, or are called to evangelism keep this in mind to understand genesis and its basic truths are vital, a foundation to build on.
To preach CHRIST to those that are not aware of the truth found in genesis is foolishness.

Just some food for thought.

 

[glf]

Many of the saints go to the book of acts on how the first church started, and how they functioned, but did you ever notice the two styles of preaching that peter and paul had and the reasons for it? Theres a lesson for us all.
Preaching to the jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.
The objective in short was to preach CHRIST as their promised messiah. That the law which is holy did not save but the law giver God himself was their redeemer.

Preaching this to the greek (gentiles) was foolishness. ...Why?

They had no idea of creation, one GOD, not to mention a sacraficial design. The gods that they worshipped were many. With so many beliefs and customs. So this had to be established as foundational truth.
IN SHORT....For a man to sacrafice himself for the world was foolishness to them. It just didnt make sense.

The reason for this short overview is to show the same thing is happening in todays society.
The jews still believe in the torah ....but because of the falling away from GOD over the years, the teaching of evolution rather than creation, science and technology vrs GODs word we have yet again a pagan majority.
Some may have heard of JESUS but have no idea of who or what he is. For some the gospel is foolishness . And is called hateful.
This generation have developed there own god or gods. In fact the pagan gods have returned (demons).

For those of you who share, preach, or are called to evangelism keep this in mind to understand genesis and its basic truths are vital, a foundation to build on.
To preach CHRIST to those that are not aware of the truth found in genesis is foolishness.

Just some food for thought.

1 Cor 1: 18 KJV "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Many of the saints go to the book of acts on how the first church started, and how they functioned, but did you ever notice the two styles of preaching that peter and paul had and the reasons for it? Theres a lesson for us all.
Preaching to the jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.
The objective in short was to preach CHRIST as their promised messiah. That the law which is holy did not save but the law giver God himself was their redeemer.

Preaching this to the greek (gentiles) was foolishness. ...Why?

They had no idea of creation, one GOD, not to mention a sacraficial design. The gods that they worshipped were many. With so many beliefs and customs. So this had to be established as foundational truth.
IN SHORT....For a man to sacrafice himself for the world was foolishness to them. It just didnt make sense.

The reason for this short overview is to show the same thing is happening in todays society.
The jews still believe in the torah ....but because of the falling away from GOD over the years, the teaching of evolution rather than creation, science and technology vrs GODs word we have yet again a pagan majority.
Some may have heard of JESUS but have no idea of who or what he is. For some the gospel is foolishness . And is called hateful.
This generation have developed there own god or gods. In fact the pagan gods have returned (demons).

For those of you who share, preach, or are called to evangelism keep this in mind to understand genesis and its basic truths are vital, a foundation to build on.
To preach CHRIST to those that are not aware of the truth found in genesis is foolishness.

Just some food for thought.

I disagree. They preaxhed Christ to the Greeks amd rhe gentiles who had no understanding of the book of Genesis and the church grew up from the preaxhing of Christ.
Paul didnt bother to preach Genesis to the Romans nor to the Corinthians, He started from where they were. Saying stuff like this to the corinthians, i see you have a monument to an unknown God, This is the one i have come to proclaim. In fact the one God you dont know is the only God.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

They didnt come out saying "in the begining".

 

[Nehemiah6]

Preaching to the Jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.

True. At the same time when you study the book of Acts. you will note that Paul invariably went to the local Jewish synagogue to preach Christ throughout the Roman empire. This was not only through the Torah but from the entire Old Testament. But it seems that Gentiles were also present at those meetings, and many believed. And we must never forget that the power of the Gospel through either Peter or Paul was accompanied by signs, wonders, and miracles. Those had a tremendous impact on conversions. At the same time there was great persecution from the unbelieving Jews.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Many of the saints go to the book of acts on how the first church started, and how they functioned, but did you ever notice the two styles of preaching that peter and paul had and the reasons for it? Theres a lesson for us all.
Preaching to the jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.
The objective in short was to preach CHRIST as their promised messiah. That the law which is holy did not save but the law giver God himself was their redeemer.

Preaching this to the greek (gentiles) was foolishness. ...Why?

They had no idea of creation, one GOD, not to mention a sacraficial design. The gods that they worshipped were many. With so many beliefs and customs. So this had to be established as foundational truth.
IN SHORT....For a man to sacrafice himself for the world was foolishness to them. It just didnt make sense.

The reason for this short overview is to show the same thing is happening in todays society.
The jews still believe in the torah ....but because of the falling away from GOD over the years, the teaching of evolution rather than creation, science and technology vrs GODs word we have yet again a pagan majority.
Some may have heard of JESUS but have no idea of who or what he is. For some the gospel is foolishness . And is called hateful.
This generation have developed there own god or gods. In fact the pagan gods have returned (demons).

For those of you who share, preach, or are called to evangelism keep this in mind to understand genesis and its basic truths are vital, a foundation to build on.
To preach CHRIST to those that are not aware of the truth found in genesis is foolishness.

Just some food for thought.

If having the Torah makes it easier to understand the gospel of Christ, why have the majority of Jews rejected Him? The Gentiles heard the preaching of the gospel of Christ and the Holy Spirit revealed to them the truth. You don't have to first become a Jew to be born again as a Christian.

 

[pottersclay]

If having the Torah makes it easier to understand the gospel of Christ, why have the majority of Jews rejected Him? The Gentiles heard the preaching of the gospel of Christ and the Holy Spirit revealed to them the truth. You don't have to first become a Jew to be born again as a Christian.

I believe you missed the point. The jews were aware that a sacrifice was in GODs design. That there was one God. Where the greeks had many gods with many creation myths which made it much harder to establish one GOD, and why a sacrifice had to be made.

 

[pottersclay]

True. At the same time when you study the book of Acts. you will note that Paul invariably went to the local Jewish synagogue to preach Christ throughout the Roman empire. This was not only through the Torah but from the entire Old Testament. But it seems that Gentiles were also present at those meetings, and many believed. And we must never forget that the power of the Gospel through either Peter or Paul was accompanied by signs, wonders, and miracles. Those had a tremendous impact on conversions. At the same time there was great persecution from the unbelieving Jews.

I believe this is relevant in the preaching today. Our society has fallen away from the truth and many were never told of the bibical accounts in genesis. Some even embrace the evolution theory and totally disregard genesis.
The occult has also intrigued many into other gods.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I believe you missed the point. The jews were aware that a sacrifice was in GODs design. That there was one God. Where the greeks had many gods with many creation myths which made it much harder to establish one GOD, and why a sacrifice had to be made.

Why then did they reject the message but the Gentiles didn't? If an understanding of the ideas of sacrifice and one God are the keys, the Jews should've been easily converted.

 

[pottersclay]

I disagree. They preaxhed Christ to the Greeks amd rhe gentiles who had no understanding of the book of Genesis and the church grew up from the preaxhing of Christ.
Paul didnt bother to preach Genesis to the Romans nor to the Corinthians, He started from where they were. Saying stuff like this to the corinthians, i see you have a monument to an unknown God, This is the one i have come to proclaim. In fact the one God you dont know is the only God.

First off consider what your saying, the monument to the unknown god was with the monuments of other gods.
For paul to preach one GOD is from genesis. To preach one GOD was very dangerous for the greeks considered Caesar as a god also. It could of resulted in pauls death.

 

[Fundaamental]

Many of the saints go to the book of acts on how the first church started, and how they functioned, but did you ever notice the two styles of preaching that peter and paul had and the reasons for it? Theres a lesson for us all.
Preaching to the jews was much easier in a way, that they knew the Torah, genesis in particular and that they knew and believed God created the heavens and earth, that he created man and also in GODs design a sacrifice had to be made.
The objective in short was to preach CHRIST as their promised messiah. That the law which is holy did not save but the law giver God himself was their redeemer.

Preaching this to the greek (gentiles) was foolishness. ...Why?

They had no idea of creation, one GOD, not to mention a sacraficial design. The gods that they worshipped were many. With so many beliefs and customs. So this had to be established as foundational truth.
IN SHORT....For a man to sacrafice himself for the world was foolishness to them. It just didnt make sense.

The reason for this short overview is to show the same thing is happening in todays society.
The jews still believe in the torah ....but because of the falling away from GOD over the years, the teaching of evolution rather than creation, science and technology vrs GODs word we have yet again a pagan majority.
Some may have heard of JESUS but have no idea of who or what he is. For some the gospel is foolishness . And is called hateful.
This generation have developed there own god or gods. In fact the pagan gods have returned (demons).

For those of you who share, preach, or are called to evangelism keep this in mind to understand genesis and its basic truths are vital, a foundation to build on.
To preach CHRIST to those that are not aware of the truth found in genesis is foolishness.

Just some food for thought.

Did some of those Greek Gentiles accept the message because they Thought Jesus was a second God.
Like like Hercules was to Zeus

 

[Evmur]

I believe this is relevant in the preaching today. Our society has fallen away from the truth and many were never told of the bibical accounts in genesis. Some even embrace the evolution theory and totally disregard genesis.
The occult has also intrigued many into other gods.

I see what you mean

My answer has always been to preach creation and our falling away in the same manner that the evolutionist preach their rubbish.

Keep stating it as a well accepted fact. [ God will add His muscle to it]

 

[pottersclay]

Why then did they reject the message but the Gentiles didn't? If an understanding of the ideas of sacrifice and one God are the keys, the Jews should've been easily converted.

You would think so but consider this...Jesus did not have a problem with the jews he had a problem with the Pharisees who taught. Many jews believed in JESUS and followed during his day. In fact there were many in the temple that believed also, Joseph who provided the tomb for JESUS believed secretly for fear of the jews.
The peer pressure alone from family, friend, even from the temple was bad enough and still exist today.
Excommunication from family and temple, false teachings, forbiden scriptures, all play a part.
We have a bad habit of grouping all the jewish people together and say they're all the same....not so.

 

[pottersclay]

I see what you mean

My answer has always been to preach creation and our falling away in the same manner that the evolutionist preach their rubbish.

Keep stating it as a well accepted fact. [ God will add His muscle to it]

Absolutely....many believe in god but do you believe the God of the bible.
Billy Graham had almost always referred to adam and eve when preaching the gospel message.
The gospel message in short is why we need to have a saviour. That saviour is CHRIST the Lord.

 

[Aaron56]

Accepting Jesus as both Lord and Christ does not pivot on logic and reason. If it did, lawyers and philosophers would be our priests.

And, the gospel-blindness of the Jews was not for lack of information or tradition. Against all reason and logic the opposite was true: they wanted to maintain their hegemony on approaching God.

I do believe, however, that the "old" way of evangelism was never God's way: sending them out of the body to the lost as a "shotgun" approach to gain more converts.

 

[pottersclay]

Did some of those Greek Gentiles accept the message because they Thought Jesus was a second God.
Like like Hercules was to Zeus

It could be possible but that is not what was preached. For there is only one GOD.

 

[ResidentAlien]

You would think so but consider this...Jesus did not have a problem with the jews he had a problem with the Pharisees who taught. Many jews believed in JESUS and followed during his day. In fact there were many in the temple that believed also, Joseph who provided the tomb for JESUS believed secretly for fear of the jews.
The peer pressure alone from family, friend, even from the temple was bad enough and still exist today.
Excommunication from family and temple, false teachings, forbiden scriptures, all play a part.
We have a bad habit of grouping all the jewish people together and say they're all the same....not so.

All true, but your original point was we need to prepare people to hear the gospel by laying a foundation of the Torah; however, none of what you said above demonstrates that this is the case. Yes, some Jews did believe but as a whole they rejected it. I'm not saying we shouldn't include the Torah when we preach the gospel, just saying a person doesn't need to first learn the Torah before they can be saved.

 

[Aaron56]

All true, but your original point was we need to prepare people to hear the gospel by laying a foundation of the Torah; however, none of what you said above demonstrates that this is the case. Yes, some Jews did believe but as a whole they rejected it. I'm not saying we shouldn't include the Torah when we preach the gospel, just saying a person doesn't need to first learn the Torah before they can be saved.

Agreed. Without the Holy Spirit, the Torah would likely only serve to veil the truth the gospel.

I like Paul's approach to the religious Greeks:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you..."

I get that many Christians are shocked to find out that Paul didn't start a march to protest the statue nor did he appeal to the local government to have the statue removed.

 

[Fundaamental]

It could be possible but that is not what was preached. For there is only one GOD.

I do feel that probably the Jews have fully accepted the message of both the father and son better than anyone ever has, for quite a few reasons.

But possibly some Jews never on the basis Jesus never conquered there enemies like king David did in battle. I believe some Jews have a hard time believing Jesus fulfilled all the prophesied prophesies of the coming of the Messiah, but then the Messiah is yet to have his second coming.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Our society has fallen away from the truth and many were never told of the bibical accounts in genesis.

You are totally correct. If one is to lay a foundation for the Gospel then the Creation and the Fall should firstly be presented, and then Romans chapter 5 can be subsequently presented. Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Rom 5:12) Before the need for the Gospel is presented, every hearer must understand that they are under the curse of sin and death, and therefore face eternal damnation.