Convincing

Persuading one's hearers of the truth of one's case. Scripture gives examples of people who have been convinced of the truth of God's word and of the gospel.

Examples of prophets convincing their hearers

Elijah at Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18:20–39

Jonah at Nineveh

Jonah 3:1–9

Hardness of heart can prevent individuals from being convinced of the truth

The ministry of the prophets

Jeremiah 6:10 See also 1 Kings 22:15–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:14–27; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 2:4–5; Amos 7:10–13

To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

The ministry of Jesus Christ

John 12:37–40 See also Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:13–15 parallels Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9–10; John 7:25–43

Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Examples of individuals convinced of the truth of the gospel

The Ethiopian eunuch

Acts 8:26–38

Paul

Romans 8:38–39 See also 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; 2 Timothy 1:12

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul sought to convince others of the truth of the gospel

Acts 18:4 See also Acts 17:2–4, Acts 19:8, Acts 26:28–29, Acts 28:23–24; 2 Corinthians 5:11

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.