Gardner Hall

“…they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” (Acts 2:46, NKJV). Some translations read, “singleness of heart.” Others, “humility of heart.”

Do I correctly sense a growing disdain among some preachers for what is simple and humble? Some speak sarcastically of the love of many brethren for the book of Acts. Do we hear fewer sermons today from the gospels and Acts?

Certainly, there is a place for deeper study of the difficult elements of the law and prophets among those who are advanced in their Bible knowledge. But can our sermons become so dominated by advanced spiritual calculus, that our hearers, many of whom are not academics, no longer understand spiritual addition and subtraction? Some anonymous surveys indicate an alarming ignorance of the fundamentals among known disciples: How can I be certain that Christ was raised from the dead? What must I do to accept God’s grace? What is free will? Where can I find biblical examples of conversion? Would those who come to our assemblies know the answers to these questions? Could they take us to passages of scripture where the answers can be found?

The fascination with advanced theological degrees, deep intellectual questions and philosophical sophistication doesn’t generally go with a powerful gospel message that changes lives (1 Corinthians 1-3). Preachers that deal almost exclusively with the complexities of modern theology don’t usually bring many to obedience to the gospel.

Depth and simplicity aren’t mutually exclusive. Jesus Christ is the prime example of that fact. Let’s imitate Him!

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, NASB 95).