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What I learned from Ravi Zacharias, Billy Graham, and the Apostle Paul


In Acts 17, the debate continues to linger when it comes to the collision between the Jewish law and this new Christianity. After having met with James and Peter in Acts 15, then correcting Peter in Antioch, then writing back to the Galatian church attempting to set them right on salvation by grace through Fatih after the Jews tried to pervert the gospel there after having caused trouble in Jerusalem and then convincing Peter to turn back for a minute. After all of that, Paul gets the a vision in Acts 16 to go to Macedonia and while he is in Macedonia, he begins to preach and Greeks and Jews alike come to faith, but the Jews start a riot and try to kill Paul, and he is sent by night to Berea. Where again, Paul preaches and many come to faith in Jesus Christ, and the Jews that were in Thessalonica followed him to Berea and caused trouble there where again Paul is sent out of the city in the middle of the night.

He then lands in Athens and is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him. Now one would think that after having had so much trouble with the Jews, after being run out of both Thessalonica and Berea, maybe just for a minute, he should lay low and cool his jets, but instead, Paul just can’t help himself, he’s compelled to share this gospel. He’s so gripped by it and the calling on his life that no matter what happens to him, he must share this gospel. This is a feature of Paul’s ministry that is so evident, the message is always bigger than the messenger.

While he’s in Athens, Paul’s ministry context has changed, he now Is in the Mecca of philosophy, the Areopagus. He’s in the middle of thinkers and philosophers and after having gone to the Jews, Paul’s strategy changes. He interpolates the gospel in a way or form in which these people understand it. He contextualizes it with great aptitude. He applauds their religious fervor, he highlights one of their unknown gods and uses it as an opportunity to share about the known God who is “not far from any of them.” He even quotes one of their poets for good measure. The gospel message never changes it always invokes a response, but it must contextualized for the cultural context.

As I write this, we are one day removed from the death of a man whose life mirrored Paul’s passions and his aptitude. Ravi Zacharias was a brilliant and eloquent apologist who like Paul staunchly defended Christianity in a way that was both culturally relevant and ontologically clear. After having heard him on dozens of occasions, I aways came away with a better understanding of my faith. Ravi knew how to do precisely what Paul did, He knew how to stand amid philosophers and thinkers on the highest academic level and go toe to toe with them defending the gospel and brilliantly articulate a risen Savior who could give their lives purpose and meaning.

Like Paul, sometimes that was met with cynicism and scorn, other times it was met with response and believe. But the gospel preached always demands a response. Like Paul sometimes it’s revival, other times it’s a riot, most of the time it’s both because it confronts our assumptions and requires that we respond accordingly. Either way what is on full display is a servant of God who passionately defends the gospel, adeptly contextualizes it for his audience, and brilliantly proclaims it with knowledge, clarity, and compassion. Such was the legacy of the apostle Paul and such was the legacy of Ravi Zacharias.

I recently heard an interview where Ravi was speaking about the death of Billy Graham. He said, “the world has lost a great voice, but the message has never changed.” He then challenged those of us who continue to proclaim the gospel to stand on the shoulders of such great men and proclaim such a great message. The same now can be said of Ravi.

As a preacher of the gospel, may I learn from the examples of men like Paul and Ravi to clearly understand the gospel, aptly contextualize it, and boldly proclaim it. Thank You for the gospel message that is always bigger than the messenger. It’s bigger than me, may I be as driven to proclaim it as these two great men were.


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Drew Tankersley -
Husband, Father, Pastor 

 Committed to faithfulness personally, in the family, and in ministry with a desire to

“feed the flock of God as a good shepherd” and “equip the saints for ministry.”

I'm blessed to be married to my incredible wife, Georgia, and honored to be dad to Colby and Carly.  I serve as Lead Pastor at South Seminole Baptist Church in East Ridge, TN.

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