Good Manners

Acts 17:2-3
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Did you love the beginning of this scripture as much as I did? Look at it... "Paul, as his manner was,..." I want you to think about something this morning. Let's think about the testimony of Paul. Hopefully you have read or heard of this man. He used to be called Saul, but now is called Paul.

While He was Saul, what did he do? He grew up understanding about God and the Holy Scriptures. He was well versed in the Old Testament and the keeping of the law. Saul grew up a good man and probably with good manners. I'm almost certain that most people would have said great things about young Saul. The older crowd loved him and influenced him apparently because we find him standing with the crowd that stoned Stephen to death. Saul then took on the role of an upholder of the law and persecutor of the Christian church.

But something happened to Saul one day while traveling to his next persecution. The Lord Jesus met him on the way and saved him. Saul was never the same since that day. Even in his name, Paul was changed. He studied the scriptures more and more. He began to see Jesus Christ in all things. God moved upon Paul and changed his manners. Some would say that Paul was a good mannered boy his whole life, but now he is a great mannered man.

"As his manner was...." He went to the places that needed Christ. He spoke with these Jews for three sabbath days. Most would have given up, but Paul's manner was to reason with them. Look at how he accomplished this... "opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered," He showed them that the Christ (Messiah) in the word of God must have suffered, and that He would rise again from the dead. Then he reasoned with them about the fact that this Christ (Messiah) is Jesus.

Do you have the manners that Paul had? Are you willing to reason with people about Jesus? Tell the world you come in contact with today that "this Jesus" is the Christ.