We are all probably familiar with the letters Jesus gave the Apostle John to send to the seven churches in Asia Minor recorded in the first chapters of the book of Revelation. Only two of those churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, were commended without any rebuke or condemnation. In his letter, Jesus greeted the church at Philadelphia with the following words:

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.’”(Rev 3:8)

While our passage doesn’t specifically define the ‘open door’, Bible commentaries tell us that the “open door” can refer to the entrance to heaven and eternal life, as well as opportunities for Christian service here on Earth, including sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely performing good works in service to our fellow men.

Concerning personal evangelism and discipleship, it goes without saying that we should look for opportunities (open doors) to share the gospel as we go about our daily lives. The challenge for some of us is recognizing a God opened door rather than taking up an assault position and performing a tactical ‘breaching’ operation.

I am not saying that we should be ‘passive’ bystanders and keep our faith personal until the ‘perfect’ opportunity arises (whatever that means). When God drew this prodigal back into his arms when I was an operator on a Special Forces ‘A’ Team, I knew that being open about my faith wasn’t optional. That’s another story.

What I am suggesting is that we examine what the Apostle Paul had to say very specifically about open doors for ministry, who it was that opened them, and follow his lead.

During his first missionary journey, which began and finished in the Syrian city of Antioch, Paul delivered this report to the church in Antioch:

“And when they (Paul & Co.), arrived (in Antioch) and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)

During his second missionary journey, Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth and spoke of the door God had opened for ministry in Ephesus:

“I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1Co 16:8-9)

As recorded in Acts 16, it was also during his second missionary journey that Paul visited and planted a church in Philippi at the home of Lydia after he had preached a message to her and some other women by a local river on the Sabbath. Listen to Paul’s record of the event:

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:14)

We don’t know the content of Paul’s message that day, but we know that God opened Lydia’s heart to hear and heed Paul’s words. Lydia was saved, baptized along with her household, and a Christian church was established in the Greek city of Philippi.

In his letter to the Christians at Colossae, written from his prison cell in Rome, Paul requested that they pray that God would open a door for declaring Christ even while he was in chains:

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Col 4:3-4)

What’s the Point?

First, God opens doors for the ministry and message of the gospel, as well as individual hearts to hear and respond positively to the message.

Second, when we pray for open doors and open hearts, God responds. We just need to be alert and prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us; doing so with gentleness and respect. (1 Pet 3:14-15)

Third, while our lives and conversation can result in opportunities to share the gospel, we might be met with resistance and slammed doors, when God opens doors and hearts, salvation follows!

Lastly, remember Jesus’ promise to the church at Philadelphia: