“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” Without Google, I could not tell you that Shakespeare wrote that in his play, Julius Caesar. I must have read it at some point, probably in high school, and the phrase stuck with me. Why? It uses vocative language to compel the hearer’s (or reader’s) attention.
In Acts 13:16, Paul uses vocative language. It is written, “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.” This is a compelling opening that calls us to the text. Paul addressed an audience composed of both Jews and Gentiles. As the message comes down through the ages, God addresses both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles to this day. You are probably not a Jew, but maybe you are a God-fearer.
God-fearers were Gentiles who were attracted to the morality and teaching of Judaism but did not want to experience circumcision to actually become Jewish. Today, God-fearers are not so much of a thing. Maybe.
Perhaps you have been observing Christianity in your neighbors, friends, or family. Perhaps you are hesitant to join with them. It takes a good amount of courage to walk into the doors of a church building when you have not visited before, but you will find friendly, loving disciples of Jesus if you visit. Perhaps you have already visited but are hesitating to join the body of believers. God still requires an act of commitment from those who would follow Him, but that act is simply immersion in water (baptism) rather than circumcision.
If you are a God-fearer, I encourage you to become a God-server.
Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash
