August 11th, 2017
Acts 17:16-34: Key verses are 30-31 (KJV): “And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
What must be believed to be saved, born again, regenerated or what ever verbiage one wants to incorporate.
Reminder: Words in Blue are mine, not scripture, in poorly attempting to make it a little clearer; forgive me.
Verse 30: “commandeth all men every where to repent”. Repent of what? What God has said and presented to mankind; what God has said that pertains to this verse that needs to be considered and repented of. No where before did God promote His appointed to be this brief, to the point and precise as Paul, not even the LORD Jesus Christ. Paul by the Holy Spirit was inspired to write: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. And again Paul writing: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Romans 6:23. To the best of my knowledge, i don’t know where another writer of scripture was as direct as Paul; where death was presented to the whole human race spiritually and physically as does Paul in those two scriptures. i say that because of what was written in Genesis 2:17. Adam didn’t die when he quite believing, physically but only spiritually. Why can’t man see the truth of this fact presented by Paul. Is it that it has been hidden by satan: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4.
If man, any man, woman or child; doesn’t understand that they are dead because of sin how do they repent? i was taught that when i sinned i needed to repent of that as a sin. i didn’t know nor been told what sin was only how that it, sin, had came to me, needing to be repented of. i was taught that i,m a sinner because i sin; not that i sin because i’m a sinner. Oxymoron? maybe semantics, no; just a simple truth that isn’t explained throughly to mankind. When Adam sinned, myself being a off spring of Adam also sinned because of my lineage. “For as in Adam all die,” 1 Corinthians 15:22a. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one (Jesus) died for all (all being, all mankind) then were all (mankind is dead apart from Christ) dead:” 2 Corinthians 5:14. i see then i was dead because of sin, not that i did sinful things (though i did) but am dead because of sin, being in Adam. Continuing then: “And that he (Jesus) died for all (mankind, removing sin eternaly, from God’s perspective: remember God is not time controlled), that they which live (believe; Gal 2:20-21) should not henceforth live unto themselves (that old man, that old nature, 2 Cor 5:17) but unto him (Jesus, Christ, Messiah) which died for them, (Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. John 10:17), and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15. Paul’s gospel “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2. How did Paul come up with this doctrine? This way of salvation? “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man (no man had a play in God’s way of salvation given by Paul). For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15a. Did the Lord Jesus Christ come saying “I am come that they might have forgiveness, and that they might have it more abundantly? Or did he say: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Where does Jesus or Paul preach forgiveness? forgiveness was/is a forgone conclusion, in light of death, burial and resurrection but they do speak of life. But what did Paul say of sin concerning mankind? “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us (mankind) to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (born again believers) the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (the world); and hath committed unto us (believers) the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Note: the use of the words reconciliation (making peace) and not imputing (requiring payment) their (mankind’s) trespasses (sin/sins, iniquities, transgressions) unto them (mankind): why? The cross, the cross where the LORD Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for all mankind. Then was raised to justify all that, join a church, get baptized, have good attendance, pay their tithe or what ever else; NO! but was raised to justify all that “Believe”: “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (doing something).” Acts 13:39. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of (His faith to us, not our faith in) Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25
Sidebar: Why did sin have to be removed, eradicated, destroyed, made no more? If sin had not been completely destroyed, then after being saved, born again, made a new creation; then for one to sin (still being dead in Adam), would not there have to be another sacrifice for sin? Isn’t that what Hebrews is about? “If they (Israel; but see how Gentiles come into play by reading Romans 11:13-24: how Gentiles are included in that “whosoever will community) if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:6 with Hebrews 4 in that we partake of that “rest”. Concerning that completed work; “destroying sin” see Hebrews 7:27, 8:6; 9:14, 22, 28. and Hebrews 10:10. This destruction of sin was prophesied in scripture: Daniel 9:24, Isaiah 53:6 (Is 52:13 to the end of 53 describes Christ’s suffering for mans sin, paying that debt for all eternity), Micah 7:18-19. Remembering that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are to be considered as Old testament until about Acts 9 where Paul is converted to be the Apostle too the Gentiles. “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16. Those who deny the completed work (Jo 19:30) of Christ in dying for sin, to remove sin (Jo 1:29, Hebrews 9:4) are become “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:” Philippians 3:18
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16. Those two verses are loaded and would take hours to unpack. “Christ came to save sinners. Not just Jewish sinners, but all sinners, all mankind. However there is one, yes just one stipulation: believing! one must believe. Isn’t that why God has given us the scripture? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by (reading God’s Word) the word of God.” Romans 10:17. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures (reading & prayer) might have hope.” Romans 15:4. But that was “aforetime” what about us now, today what was given for us. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16. Even Peter gave credence to Paul’s epistles in saying: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3-15-18. Those are the last words (by inspiration) written by Peter of Paul and Paul’s understanding in this dispensation of the grace of God.
1. Believe that God is: Hebrews 11:1-6
2. Blood, perfect human blood required for propitiation of sin: Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19;
3. Agree that you are dead, a sinner: Genesis 2:17; Romans 3:23 & 6:23
4. Believe what God has provided for all: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
5. Upon believing one is made new: 2 Corinthians 5:17
6. One is placed into the living body of Christ, the Church: ! Corinthians 12:12-13.
7. One is eternally sealed by God’s promise: Ephesians 1:13
8. Now waiting for His return, for His bride, the Church: Titus 2:13
Second point to recognize: “but now commandeth all men every where to repent” God has totally revealed all that is necessary for man to know to make a conscience decision of what He has not only said, but what He now demands. i know this because in times past things were hidden from man. ‘The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.’ Deuteronomy 29:29 (then, times past) with “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” 1 Peter 1:10-11. But now (time of the dispensation of the grace of God Eph 3:1-5 and following) “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter 1;10-11. i know this is true for it was given to Paul which we had of in all his epistles: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12. With that Paul was directed to write by the Holy Spirit’s guiding; “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16. How do i know there is nothing else coming for us Saint’s who are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13. Again Paul writing, wrote this “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;” Colossians 1:25.
Sidebar: If possible do a word study on that word “fulfill” from Colossians 1:25 and one will see it is to complete “the word of God.” That being true then is there anymore to be added if in fact (and it is) fulfilled by Paul. Some will say though that there are more books after Colossians, some 15 more are given; true. No different than Job being considered first written, put pen to paper as it were as compared to Moses’s writing of the Torah. Or in the epistles of Paul, that Thessalonians was most likely written first. Then some will say “well then why aren’t they in order that they were written in?” Past being, they are/were, God has directed that they should be, but look at how they play out in the growth of the saint in Christ (if in Christ). Now for “Strong’s” giving of that word “fulfill”. Strong’s # 4137 (used 6 times in the new testament; twice by Jesus and four times by Paul) fulfill, “Pieroo” from 4134, replete, covered over, complete:- full (17x’s).” “(3) in Col 1:25 the word signifies to preach “fully” to complete the ministry of the Gospel appointed”. That to me, tells me, that Paul has given all that he received for us Gentiles. He himself gave witness to that very fact writing “ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day (2 Cor 5:10): and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:4-8.
Thank You Jesus for loving me, for being my sacrifice acceptable unto God. You paid all and there is none left for me but too only believe what You have given to us to believe. Your mercy, Your grace, simple in faith mighty in work. i understand more and more each day, but i also
understand i will never, never come to the end of You. But if i could would You then be God? i’m here, ready to do what You would have me to do, but most of the time i fail (Ps103:14). My spirit is alive because of Your life living in me, and i understand that sin shall not have dominion over me, and you by Paul explained that i’m not to give into sin, but in rejecting sin that temps i have the opportunity to glorify You in my conduct and actions. Help me Jesus; in Your name in Jesus’s name, Amen . . . . .
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