Bible Pathways 11/13/2000
November 13
Acts 11 -- 13
Paul was invited by the rulers of the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia to speak. This was a Roman colony in what is now south-central Turkey. Paul chose certain prophetic Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Messiah, who fulfilled all that was written of Him (by the prophets). . . . And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to our forefathers, God has fulfilled for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus (from the dead), as it is also written in the second psalm, You are My Son, this day I have begotten You. . . . Wherefore he said also in another psalm, You shall not suffer Your Holy One to see corruption. . . . God raised Him (from the dead) (Acts 13:29,32-37).
Paul continued: Let it be known to you, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all who believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses. This was the heart of Paul's message. He firmly declared: You could not be justified by the Law of Moses. He then warned: Beware therefore, lest it come upon you, what is spoken of in the prophets concerning the despisers (13:38-41). The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to proclaim that every sinner needs to repent and place his faith in Jesus Christ as the All-sufficient Savior.
Repentance is far more than just choosing a better way of life. It is a realization of the awfulness of sin as an offense against God, a sorrow for that sin, a sincere desire to be delivered from sin through faith in Jesus, and a genuine decision to avoid and resist sin through the help of the Holy Spirit. True repentance is choosing obedience to Christ and allowing Him to truly be Lord of our lives. It comes from recognizing the need for forgiveness and cleansing through faith in the blood of Jesus (Romans 3:24-25). From the beginning of His ministry to the end, our Lord made it clear that genuine "salvation" is inseparably linked to repentance and a sincere commitment to allow Christ to be Lord of our lives.
In His final message following His resurrection, Jesus met with His Apostles and opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures . . . that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations (Luke 24:45-47).
The Apostle John wrote to Christians: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us (I John 1:8-10).
Cross References:
For Acts 13:22: See Psa. 89:20. Acts 13:33: See Psa. 2:7. Acts 13:34: See Isa. 55:3. Acts 13:35: See Psa. 16:10. Acts 13:41: See Hab. 1:5. Acts 13:47: See Isa. 49:6.
BPM Staff: Rick Hash · Pray for Strengthening Hands Ministry and Betty Graham · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Helen M. Prater · Country: Ivory Coast (13 million) in western Africa · Major languages: French and over 60 native dialects · Religious freedom · 40% animist; 25% Muslim; 10% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to the Lord as incense before God (Revelation 8:3-4).
Memory Verse for the Week:
James 1:25
