If you’re looking for encouragement in evangelism, read no further than the book of Acts. There, Luke records how the resurrected Lord transforms people by His grace through two themes: salvation and prayer. In the events of salvation recorded in the book of Acts, you’ll notice that prayer is an active thread weaving through these numerous occasions. Let’s first take a look at some of these events recorded by Luke.
Salvation in Acts
In many ways, Acts traces salvation across the Roman empire. It starts almost comically small and seemingly anonymous – a tiny band of believers waits quietly in a second-story loft for the fulfillment of a promise. By the book’s end, Paul the Apostle boldly takes salvation to the greatest city in all the ancient world and will soon have an audience with Caesar himself.
As salvation crescendos through the book of Acts, we can categorize it into two different types: salvation of the masses and salvation of individuals.
Salvation of the Masses.
Salvation in the book of Acts spreads like wildfire driven by a stiff wind. 3,000 are saved in 2:41 and 5,000 in 4:4. Luke ceases precise counting and instead tells us of “multitudes” in 5:14 and a “great number” in 11:21-24. Many more were saved as Christianity spread to places like Cyprus, Antioch, Corinth, and Ephesus.
The effects of mass salvation were profound. In Ephesus, for example, the vendors of false religion were running out of customers (19:24ff). In Thessalonica, when “a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few leading women” joined the ranks of Christians, a Thessalonian mob accused Paul of turning “the world upside down” (17:6).
Salvation of Individuals
Luke is also careful to highlight individual moments of grace. He describes the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch away from his hometown (8:27) and writes an extensive account about a soldier named Cornelius (10:1). Luke tells us of the conversion of Crispus the Corinthian (18:8) and Apollos the well-meaning but ill-informed preacher (18:24ff).
Nobody can forget the salvation of Saul of Tarsus (8:9ff) or the scores of people he led to the Lord in subsequent chapters: Lydia (Acts 16:14), Titius Justus (18:7), an unnamed Jailer (16:25), and so on.
Constancy in Prayer
Wherever Christ is proclaimed, salvation follows. Yet, as Luke tells the story, another aspect comes prominently to the fore. And it’s the aspect we most often overlook. Luke’s Church is constantly at prayer.
Prior to Pentecost, the fledgling church is devoted to prayer (1:14). After Pentecost, the church continues steadfastly in “the prayers” (2:42), prays for boldness (4:31), and frees her leaders to remain constant in prayer (6:4).
When the gospel comes to the Gentiles, the principal actors, Cornelius (10:2) and Peter (10:9), were first focused on prayer. Before the Holy Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary service, the church at Antioch was worshipping and fasting, i.e., praying (13:2).
Although Luke has a lot to say about many other important topics (like Pneumatology, preaching, persecution, and holiness), let us simply observe that prayer always precedes salvation.
Challenge
Through Bible studies like the short one summarized above, the Lord has challenged me about prayer and its central role in ministry. I can’t create open doors any more than I can change a heart. But the mercy seat is always open (Hebrews 10:19) and the ear of the Lord is always attuned (1 John 5:14).
Could I challenge you to take your cue from the first church and “continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2)? Many have been praying fervently for Utah for years. And to those people, I would encourage with a quote from the Apostle Paul, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).