Using Extrabiblical Examples to Illustrate the Gospel Message
Using Extrabiblical Examples to Illustrate the Gospel Message
The use of extrabiblical examples to illustrate the gospel message is rooted in biblical teaching and practice. Jesus himself used parables, which are comparisons or similitudes drawn from everyday life, to convey spiritual truths [1]. This method allowed him to connect the unfamiliar with the familiar, making the gospel more accessible and understandable to his audience.
The New Testament writers also employed this approach. For instance, the apostle Paul used the example of the Israelites' experience in the wilderness to caution the Corinthian church against idolatry and immorality (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). Similarly, the writer of Hebrews drew on the history of the Israelites to illustrate the consequences of unbelief and disobedience (Hebrews 3:7-4:11) [5].
In the Gospels, Jesus is described as an example to believers, with his life and teachings serving as a model for Christian living (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15) [4]. The early Christian preachers, including the apostles, followed this pattern by using Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the central facts of their message (Acts 2:22-24; Romans 10:15) [2].
The use of extrabiblical examples can be seen in the way the apostles and other early Christian leaders communicated the gospel. They drew on the cultural and historical context of their audience to make the message more relatable and compelling. For example, Paul's sermon in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) used the Athenians' own philosophical and cultural references to introduce them to the gospel.
The effectiveness of using extrabiblical examples lies in its ability to connect the gospel to the everyday experiences and understanding of the audience. As seen in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles, this approach can make the gospel more accessible and engaging. The early Christian writers and preachers demonstrated this by using a variety of examples, from biblical history to cultural references, to illustrate the gospel message [6, 7].
The practice of using extrabiblical examples to illustrate the gospel continues to be relevant today. By drawing on the cultural, historical, and everyday experiences of their audience, Christian communicators can make the gospel more understandable and compelling. This approach is in line with the biblical pattern of using relatable examples to convey spiritual truths, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the New Testament authors.
The biblical emphasis on sincerity in preaching and living out the gospel also underscores the importance of authenticity in using extrabiblical examples. The apostle Paul's emphasis on the sincerity of his ministry (2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17) highlights the need for integrity in communicating the gospel, whether using biblical or extrabiblical examples [3].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:31: 13:31-33 Jesus used surprising, evocative imagery in these parables, either to emphasize the inevitable growth of the Kingdom through proclamation of the gospel or, more probably, to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and glorious consummation, and to exhort the disciples to patience (see also 16:24–17:13).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”