Modus Operandi

Acts 13:13-34 (5/20)
Apostle for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Pascha

Modus Operandi: Acts 13:13-24, especially vss. 14, 15: "...they came to
Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and
sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers
of the synagogue sent to them, saying, 'Men and brethren, if you have
any word of exhortation for the people, say on.'"

St. Paul and his companions attended the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch
and followed a consistent pattern of missionary work exhibited
throughout Acts (e.g. 13:5; 14:1). Following arrival in a new
community, when the Sabbath came, the Apostolic teams attended services
at the synagogue or other gathering places of Jews for worship. There
are eight instances of this type of occurrence scattered through the Acts.

In the present day, numbers of visitors come to our churches to inquire
about the Faith. This passage from Acts reveals principles derived from
the Apostles concerning presentation of the Faith. Three stand out: 1)
use whatever existing, natural, and shared beliefs you may have with
those who want explanations of Orthodoxy, 2) consider the experience and
knowledge of those who come, and 3) keep the focus on the Lord and the
Gospel.

The very act of going to services on the Sabbath represented a conscious
effort by the Apostolic teams to connect with local people in the most
natural way possible. They did not go to the rulers of the synagogue
and ask to speak. Honestly and correctly they came as visiting, fellow
Jews. They used whatever opportunities developed from existing shared
beliefs and background. In your "meetings" with those who come to your
parish, seek to act as did St. Paul, beginning with what is known and
shared in belief, finding common ground that is obvious and natural, and
only later proceeding to what may be new or different.

If you establish a link with those who come seeking, they will much more
easily follow your presentation and hear the truths you have to share.
Notice: in St. Paul's statements, he began with the common, well-known
history of Israel (Acts 13:17-22). The effect of such an approach is to
affirm those who are listening so they may consider new truths and
overcome barriers and strangeness within an open atmosphere for learning.

Next, in St. Paul's opening words, he took into account the composition
of his audience. The Apostle saw immediately that, in addition to Jews,
there were present also "God-fearers" - Gentiles sympathetic to
Judaism. "God-fearers" were common in the first-century Greco-Roman
synagogues. The monotheism and morality of Judaism were drawing many
who were dissatisfied with the empty superstitions of paganism. Still,
there were barriers in Judaism that held off inquirers: circumcision,
the dietary laws, and the implicit rejection of their non-Jewish
heritage. In appropriate ways, be sensitive to and honest about any
notable differences among your listeners - consider age, social, and
religious affiliations, etc.

Even though today's reading presents only the opening lines of St.
Paul's speech (vss. 17-24), it is clear that the Apostle early turned
his message to a central point - the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior of all
mankind. Think about our churches. What is central in them? What
stands out above all else in our worship? Of course it is the Lord
Jesus Christ, our King and our God. His icons are central. In almost
every prayer, He is either named or addressed directly. In the Divine
Liturgy, the Holy Gifts are His true Body and Blood received for the
cleansing of our souls, the hallowing of our thoughts, the enlightenment
of our hearts - for our establishment in Him. As with St. Paul, be sure
you place the Lord Jesus Christ in primary focus before guests whenever
you share your Orthodox Christian Faith with them.

Lord, Thou art our life and salvation. Glory to Thee Who hast shown us
the Light!