Do You Have the Receipts?
“They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11b).
There is an interesting statement that is making the rounds in our society. “I have
the receipts!” It’s a novel way of saying, “I’m telling the truth, and I can prove it.”
The origin of this statement, no doubt, is the policy of many stores to require a receipt (paper or digital) in order to accept a return.
Jesus tasked His disciples (including you and me) with spreading His gospel to all people throughout the world. As Paul fulfilled that commission in Berea, he proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Unlike those he previously preached to in Thessalonica, the open-minded Bereans gave Paul a fair hearing. But before accepting what he taught, they checked to see if he “had the receipts” (i.e. they searched the scriptures to verify that Paul spoke the truth).
We cannot expect people to believe what we teach them about Jesus unless we, like Paul, “have the receipts.” In fact, many people in our culture are more skeptical than ever. Fact checking is virtually essential to make certain that one is not being duped or scammed.
We owe it to our neighbors (and to the Lord) to know the Bible well enough to lovingly point people to God’s word, which is truth (John 17:17). Jesus said the truth will make people free from the slavery of sin (John 8:32). That being the case, we must strive to “have the receipts” at all times. If we don’t, we have no right to expect people to believe our message.
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
Dennis
“They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11b).
There is an interesting statement that is making the rounds in our society. “I have
the receipts!” It’s a novel way of saying, “I’m telling the truth, and I can prove it.”
The origin of this statement, no doubt, is the policy of many stores to require a receipt (paper or digital) in order to accept a return.
Jesus tasked His disciples (including you and me) with spreading His gospel to all people throughout the world. As Paul fulfilled that commission in Berea, he proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Unlike those he previously preached to in Thessalonica, the open-minded Bereans gave Paul a fair hearing. But before accepting what he taught, they checked to see if he “had the receipts” (i.e. they searched the scriptures to verify that Paul spoke the truth).
We cannot expect people to believe what we teach them about Jesus unless we, like Paul, “have the receipts.” In fact, many people in our culture are more skeptical than ever. Fact checking is virtually essential to make certain that one is not being duped or scammed.
We owe it to our neighbors (and to the Lord) to know the Bible well enough to lovingly point people to God’s word, which is truth (John 17:17). Jesus said the truth will make people free from the slavery of sin (John 8:32). That being the case, we must strive to “have the receipts” at all times. If we don’t, we have no right to expect people to believe our message.
Be a Light for Christ in 2025!
Dennis
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