When I was a teenager I hung out with some pretty rockin’ people… one of which was Jon Bon Jovi. Okay, I’ve never met Jon Bon Jovi, but my first really cool rockstar cassette was Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet album that came out around 1986 when I was eleven years old. Listening to it made me instantly cool.Now that I’m 33 [and much cooler] I can see the similarities between Jon Bon Jovi was and the Apostle Paul. I mean, you can see how Jon Bon Jovi and the Apostle Paul are similar right? A few connections would be:
- Both had/have very interesting lifestyles
- Both have gone on “tour”
- Both had really cool long hair
But for real [in a weird kind of way], I think it is concievable that the titles to the songs on Jon Bon’s album Slippery When Wet was a Rockumentary [if you will] of the life of Paul as described in the book of Acts. Explain you ask… certainly.
Below is the Slippery When Wet track list. You decide for yourself.
Let It Rock (7:58, 14:19)
Isn’t it a little two coincadental that the first time we hear about Paul (at that time Saul) he is involved the stoning of Stephen, and then once he gets into his ministry full force he is stoned himself. And I don’t mean stoned like rock stars get stoned, if you catch my drift.
You Give Love a Bad Name (9:1)
Lets face it, before Paul was Paul and he was Saul he gave love a bad name. A very bad name. And, since love is such an important message of Paul’s ministry, I think he fully understood “what love has to do, has to do with it”… [sorry, wrong artist, different blog].
Living on a Prayer
Once Paul began his Christian ministry [because he did have that non-Christian ministry that didn’t work out for him after he was on his way to Damascus], I think it is safe to say that Paul was living on a prayer. I mean, he was beaten, arrested, chased, stoned, homeless, in a boat wreck, etc. At least he had prayer!
Social Disease (14:19)
I’m not sure what the Social Disease was. It was either Paul’s view or his opposition’s view. Either way, it seemed that everywhere Paul went he had a bunch of “bizarro groupies” following him and turning the people against him as if he had a social disease.
Once Paul began his Christian ministry [because he did have that non-Christian ministry that didn’t work out for him after he was on his way to Damascus], I think it is safe to say that Paul was living on a prayer. I mean, he was beaten, arrested, chased, stoned, homeless, in a boat wreck, etc. At least he had prayer!
Social Disease (14:19)
I’m not sure what the Social Disease was. It was either Paul’s view or his opposition’s view. Either way, it seemed that everywhere Paul went he had a bunch of “bizarro groupies” following him and turning the people against him as if he had a social disease.
Wanted Dead or Alive (23:21)
More like dead. The Jews had enough of Paul and his talk about Jesus, so they planned on ambushing him and putting him to death. They believed the only way to stop him was to eliminate him; however, they could never seem to accomplish their goals.
Raise Your Hands (16:26-34)
I have to believe that when Paul and Silas were in prison and the earthquake shook them loose, they had to raise their hands in praise. I also have to beieve that once the jailer heard that all the prisoners were still there he had to raise his hands. I also have to believe that the jailer and his whole house accepted Christ, they all raised their hands.
Without Love
Paul was undoubtedly Addicted to Love [wait, that’s Robert Palmer, not Bon Jovi]. Throughout all of Paul’s writings love is a central theme; therefore, I think it is safe to say that Paul understood the concept that Jesus died for our sins because of love, and Without Love we wouldn’t be offered Salvation.
I'd Die for You (21:13)
Paul was willing to die for his beliefs, in part I believe because he understood the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. He knew that message must be shared no matter the cost. [When did this concept change?]
Never Say Goodbye (20:22 & 25, 21:6)
Goodbye’s are always hard, especially if you never see that person again. Paul knew that prison and hardships were on the way. I believe he didn’t want to say goodbye, but he knew that soon it would be “bye for good”.
Wild in the Streets (28:30-31)
Acts ends with Paul in home arrest. The book ends like this:
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
I can imagine that there were some folks that were wild in the streets about the love of Jesus.
And we all thought rock music would distort our brains!
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