Reason and Faith

August 19

(Acts 17:1-3 NIV) “When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. {2} As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, {3} explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said.”

(Matthew 16:13-18 NIV) “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” {14} They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” {15} “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” {16} Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” {17} Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. {18} And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

(Acts 10:39-43 NIV) “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, {40} but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. {41} He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. {42} He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. {43} All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Even though Paul was sent to evangelize the Gentiles, he never gave up on his fellow Jews, and often went to the synagogues to preach. At Thessalonica he taught three weeks in a row, reasoning with them “from the Scriptures”, or what we call the Old Testament. Using the Old Testament, Paul proved and explained that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Paul echoed Peter, who taught that all the prophets testified about Jesus and that through His name, all who believe in Him will receive forgiveness of sins. Some say reason and faith do not mix, but Paul would disagree. He often reasoned from the Scriptures to bring people to faith. He wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is the Christ, for through faith comes forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. That was true in Paul’s day, and it is still true today. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the reasonable thing to do. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day