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beloved57 said:
Thanks for your respond. I think the audience does not make a difference because the gospel is the same to the jew first and also to the greek. I would imagine philip spoke to the ethiopian eunech from the jewish scriptures! . . .
Well, methinks you are not considering something very important in this matter. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Ponder.gif" alt="" /> When you read through the N.T., you will see that what Paul, for example, spoke to his audiences was far different depending who his audience was. What he spoke to unbelieving Jews or even Gentiles who were familiar with the Old Testament was far different than what he spoke to those who weren't, e.g., the Greeks on Mars Hill (Acts 17). And what he spoke to believing Jews was sometimes different than what he spoke to believing Gentiles. The Ethiopian Eunuch was obviously a man who was very familiar with the Old Testament, although he didn't quite understand some things about it.

Why is that? Because Paul knew that one must first start at the beginning with those who know nothing or have false ideas about the truth of God compared to those who are familiar with what the Scriptures teach about God. And then once the basics are known, whether they are embraced or not, then one can move on to other matters that depend upon them. Let me illustrate by taking our present generation which knows virtually nothing about who God is; His being, nature, laws, etc. To assume that the average person knows that God is sovereign and holy would be a serious mistake. Thus, if you did assume this and went merrily along speaking about salvation in Christ, then the one who is ignorant about the God of the Bible would interpret your words according to their idolatrous views of a god of their own imagination. And the end result would be that they would go away with a totally different understanding of what you said rather than what you actually said. Comprende? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" /> Another example might be when speaking with a Roman Catholic. If you were to simply speak of the necessity of being saved by grace through faith, they would certainly nod their head and agree with you happily. But what the Roman Catholic understands about Soli Gratia is a far different thing than what you understand, i.e., the biblical teaching of Sola Fide and imputed righteousness, the need of being regenerated by an initial and sovereign work of the Spirit which enables a person to repent and believe, etc. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So, in summary, it is important to first ascertain what a person knows about God, Christ, sin, salvation, righteousness, etc. And from that knowledge one can then speak about Gospel truths and apply them to that particular individual.

In His grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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