The Power of the "Both/And"
Are you a preacher or a teacher? Most of would see ourselves more as one or the other. Some of us are more motivated towards evangelism, with a passion to see lost people come to faith in Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel. On the other hand, some of us are more motivated to teach, with a passion to see the Body of Christ built up through the explaining of Scripture. Again, i think that most of us would identify with, and function in, one more so than the other...but, hopefully not to the exclusion of the other!
That is the whole challenge here in the book of Acts, and in particular, here in 8:25. We read that John and Peter had just spent time with a bunch of new believers in Samaria, testifying and proclaiming the word of the Lord to them. Now, this group had already heard and believed the gospel preached by Philip, so this testifying and proclaiming of the word by John and Peter must have been a reference to them teaching and equipping these newbees. But, as Peter and John leave Samaria, V. 25 says that they preached the gospel in many Samaritan villages. So, the two-fold ministry of Peter and John (as we later see with Paul, as well), was that of BOTH preaching the gospel among unbelievers, and teaching the Word among believers. Preaching AND Teaching...not either/or, but both/and! I think that this is important because most of us are creatures of extremes, and creatures of comfort! We tend to focus on one thing and do it to the exclusion of other things. And, it tends to be that thing that we are most comfortable with. That's why this two-fold ministry of the first apostles is so challenging. I have been on both extremes before (evangelism to the exclusion of discipleship, and discipleship to the exclusion of evangelism). But, i desire for my ministry to be both/and...for that's where the power is.
God, i realize that i am more focused on and comfortable with, teaching and equipping the Body. My ministry of preaching the gospel among unbelievers is fairly non-existent, save a few short-term mission trips per year or at the close of a Bible Study at church occasionally. Yet, this is part of my (our) call...to preach the gospel among all peoples! Help me to keep the tension between both necessary ministries. Help me to have a heart for both and Body and the Lost. Help me to be willing to leave the comfortable for the necessary, wherever and whenever you lead me. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me today, and fill me with Your Spirit to bring the ministry of Jesus to the believer and unbeliever alike. Preacher or Teacher? Yes!
That is the whole challenge here in the book of Acts, and in particular, here in 8:25. We read that John and Peter had just spent time with a bunch of new believers in Samaria, testifying and proclaiming the word of the Lord to them. Now, this group had already heard and believed the gospel preached by Philip, so this testifying and proclaiming of the word by John and Peter must have been a reference to them teaching and equipping these newbees. But, as Peter and John leave Samaria, V. 25 says that they preached the gospel in many Samaritan villages. So, the two-fold ministry of Peter and John (as we later see with Paul, as well), was that of BOTH preaching the gospel among unbelievers, and teaching the Word among believers. Preaching AND Teaching...not either/or, but both/and! I think that this is important because most of us are creatures of extremes, and creatures of comfort! We tend to focus on one thing and do it to the exclusion of other things. And, it tends to be that thing that we are most comfortable with. That's why this two-fold ministry of the first apostles is so challenging. I have been on both extremes before (evangelism to the exclusion of discipleship, and discipleship to the exclusion of evangelism). But, i desire for my ministry to be both/and...for that's where the power is.
God, i realize that i am more focused on and comfortable with, teaching and equipping the Body. My ministry of preaching the gospel among unbelievers is fairly non-existent, save a few short-term mission trips per year or at the close of a Bible Study at church occasionally. Yet, this is part of my (our) call...to preach the gospel among all peoples! Help me to keep the tension between both necessary ministries. Help me to have a heart for both and Body and the Lost. Help me to be willing to leave the comfortable for the necessary, wherever and whenever you lead me. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me today, and fill me with Your Spirit to bring the ministry of Jesus to the believer and unbeliever alike. Preacher or Teacher? Yes!
