Preaching to a Hostile Audience

Paul’s address to the mob in the temple shows us how to speak to hostile audiences about the Lord. First, he emphasized the similarities between himself and his audience. He spoke in their language, stressed that he was a Jew, and gave them credit for zeal for God. He couched his defense as a story, in this case the story of his life. He also dealt decisively with the reason for their anger at him: his God-given mission to the Gentiles. Second, Paul made sure to include the essential points of the Gospel in his account. Jesus fulfilled God’s ancient plan revealed through the prophets. People, like himself, sin. Jesus is God’s appointed savior, and although put to death, he is alive in heaven from where he calls men to obey him. He forgives sin. Third, Paul’s talk, even though it ended with the crowd again calling for his death, carried out God’s instruction to him to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. A full generation after Jesus, his talk gave Jerusalem a chance to repent and believe in God’s Savior. His talk, therefore, shows how God is faithful to warn even the unrepentant.