v 23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening.
The occasion for explanation was a long day – morning till evening! Paul was not a man to miss this opportunity! There were arguments (v 25) all right – and divisions aplenty as Paul .. explained … testified … tried to persuade … them about Jesus from the Scriptures.
Here are three more good words to keep in mind for Mission:
EXPLAIN … TESTIFY … TRY TO PERSUADE
EXPLAIN. With Christian thinking becoming increasingly marginalised, most people have a misguided idea of what faith and the gospel are really about. Some quiet, non-pressurising explanation is often needed these days.
TESTIFY. This is the element of personal experience that we can add to an explanation. It speaks of relevance and significance in our own lives.
TRY TO PERSUADE. Don’t give up on pressing the point about commitment to following Jesus. It is no good leaving people with the impression that all that is required is some kind of intellectual agreement.
Faith involves following; action is needed on the part of a listener.