Paul often went inside a synagogue, when he entered a new town, to evangelize and teach about eternal life. In Acts 13:16-41, we have one of his sermons on salvation taught from such a location. One of the outstanding parts of it is the following:
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38,39)
Paul told them what justified and what did not justify in the clearest possible way. Since the law of Moses was what they were stumbling over, he wanted them to clearly know that would not justify them. Telling people what doesn’t get sins forgiven, greatly helps them to better understand how to get their sins forgiven. In our day, that would be like telling people that water baptism, Mary, the ten commandments, Saturday Sabbath keeping, giving to the poor, going to church, praying and other such things will not justify. What justifies is a faith in Jesus which submits to his Lordship and obeys. That is also the same as believing in Jesus.
Furthermore, Paul’s gospel preaching to Jews about believing in Jesus to get forgiven is the same essential teaching that Peter gave Cornelius, a non-Jew:
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43)
Both Paul and Peter preached that way about JESUS and got souls saved. When they evangelized, neither taught the law to convict the unsaved of their sins so they would then repent and get forgiven. If that is how they evangelized and got good results, we should follow their example and expect the same. For someone to say we should teach the law first when evangelizing, unlike they did, is definite error! Don’t be deceived. [They also never told unsaved people that Jesus loves you.]
