Answering the Skeptics
Yesterday, I listened to a sermon delivered by a friend of mine, Bruce Fosdick. The title of his message was “Doubts Can Become Convictions.” He re-told the story of good ole Thomas, better known as “Doubting Thomas.” Bruce went on to say “The Lord loves skeptics.” As, you probably remember, Jesus turned the doubts of Thomas into life-changing convictions.
During his message, he described the difference between a skeptic and a cynic. A skeptic reserves judgment on issues but seeks out answers while a cynic doesn’t believe there are answers and uses doubts to avoid commitment.
Acts 2.13 tells us there was a crowd of people who discounted the miracle of God speaking through the disciples. Verse 13 says, But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” There will be a mixture of cynics and skeptics in almost every crowd. How did the disciples respond?
Peter and the disciples stood up. First he appealed to the logical side of things and said, “These men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only 9:00 in the morning!” Then he used Scripture to explain all that was going on.
Peter reaches back and unveils the prophetic writings of Joel and David to explain the Spirit’s work in that moment of time. In the end times, the Spirit will be poured out. The Holy One will not see decay; in other words, Jesus will rise from the dead before his body begins to disintegrate.
Finally, Peter explains he and his colleagues were witnesses of all these things. The disciples engage the skeptics by speaking practically, biblically, and from personal experience.
What was the result of the day? About 3000 people believed and were changed by God forever. What’s the point? Today, believers must engage the culture (practically), know God’s Word so that we can explain (theologically), and must allow God to work through us in relationship with others (personally).
We can follow in Peter’s steps if we study God’s Word and apply ourselves to whatever and whoever the Lord puts in front of us. Being used by God is about living in the present with a keen mind focused on truth and ears that are always ready to hear God’s voice.
