Acts 11:21
This verse caught my eye this morning in my quiet time. I ran a check through multiple translations, and most do not have the word "who" after "and a great number." In the Greek text, however, there is a definite article which, for some reason, is left untranslated in many Bibles. The more literal translations--NAS, RSV, and ESV--do include the word "who."
That simple little word brings a new understanding to the whole verse, doesn't it? It seems possible that there were some in the "great number who believed" but did not turn. There is a difference between believing and turning, isn't there?
I've been sharing the Gospel with a man in the hospital. I know he believes but he's not ready to turn. He's been, in my opinion, at that same place for years. His wife and children have witnessed to him. Many in our church have witnessed to him. As I spoke with him last week, tears rolled down his face as he said, "I'm about to get to that place. I just don't think I can live up to it." Pray for him, that today would be the day of salvation; that the Lord would break this man's psuedo-pride, that he humble himself, and turn to the Lord.
Question for Discussion: Do you think we have done a disservice to the Gospel by focusing on the believing part ("making Jesus your Savior") and not pressing the turning part ("making Jesus your Lord")? If repentance is making a U-turn, can one come to saving faith without turning--or at least a willingness (known only by the Spirit) to turn? Have we (the modern day Church) been guilty of preaching "easy believism" by not compelling others to count the cost (Luke 14:25-33)?
