And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!" Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air… " Acts 22:22-23

The preceding verses are what Paul was saying to the angry mob in Jerusalem about his previous conversion experience. How did the mob in Jerusalem react to Paul’s testimony? Were they converted? Was their anger even soothed? Hardly! They again called for Paul’s death! The fact that people do not respond favorably to hearing our testimonies and the gospel must not deter us from proclaiming the truth. We may be somewhat discouraged by people’s negative reactions—but let us not be surprised. How many times did some of us hear before believing (by God’s grace)?!

And do not miss how vehemently they hated Paul—crying out, tearing off their clothes, and throwing dust into the air! No matter how people respond, we have been commissioned to proclaim Christ and the gospel. We do not proclaim Christ and the gospel because of people’s positive reactions. Nor do we not proclaim Christ and the gospel because of people’s negative reactions.

We proclaim Christ and the gospel because (a) our Lord has commissioned us to do so, and (b) because the gospel is the power of God to salvation. Though not all will receive Christ upon hearing the gospel, those God has determined to save will be saved, in God’s timing.

Let us soldier on proclaiming Christ and the gospel, in obedience to Christ and with the confidence that He will save His people.

A footnote: Why do people hate hearing the gospel? Because (a) they hate God, and (b) because they insist that they have no need of God because they do not believe they are sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. And lest we forget before we were born gain, many of us were likewise deceived.

Next time: Saved by the government?