There are a few approaches you won’t find the apostles using, however:
“Follow these five steps or those four spiritual laws and you’ll go to heaven when you die.” The focus was on beholding the Lamb of God—not the plan of salvation—who takes away the sins of the world. The person of Jesus was the issue.
“God has a wonderful plan for your life. If you’ll only accept Jesus as your personal Savior, look at all the benefits you’ll receive.” The apostolic gospel was not man-centered at all. It was thoroughly Christ-centered. We often think to persuade people to “accept Christ” by dangling the benefits of Christianity in front of their noses, in hopes that they will later come to a place of greater commitment as their faith grows. The apostles’ approach was refreshingly different. Jesus Himself was the only bait on their hook. It was those who swallowed Him whole—often in the face of persecution—who received those wonderful teachings about the good things we have in Christ.
“Poor Jesus is standing outside the door of your heart, just begging to come in. Look at Him, all battered and torn, out there all alone. How can you stand to keep the door closed?” No way! Our first century brothers never presented a pitiful picture of Jesus to play on our guilt. They proclaimed a victorious Christ and demanded unconditional surrender to Him. Again, there was a greater emphasis on what Jesus gets out of the gospel than on what we get out of it!