Monthly Archives: February 2016

Acts, Mission

Acts 11:19-30 – Antioch – a great city saved by grace

Context

In chapter 7, Stephen was martyred with Saul overseeing the execution. As a result, the disciples in Jerusalem fled to many parts of the world. Saul was since converted to believe that Jesus is Lord and has shown himself to be a true convert to the disciples. Barnabas was a great man of faith and an encourager who believed Saul was converted and initiated the meeting between Saul and the disciples.

Peter had been taught by God to expect the gospel to extend beyond the Jews and to all the Gentiles. He was shown that God shows no favouritism.

We now return to the scattered disciples, to Barnabas and to Saul as the gospel finds a stronghold in the large Greek city of Antioch.

Observation

Structure

  • 19-21 – The gospel spreading to Antioch
  • 22-26 – Saul and Barnabas working together in Antioch
  • 27-30 – Christian charity work

19-21 – The gospel spreading to Antioch

Antioch – this town is in modern Turkey. Jesus travelled as far north as Tyre during his ministry. Although Tyre was part of the promised land, it bordered Gentile country and had been populated with Gentiles for many centuries (since the fall of the Northern Kingdom). Antioch is much further still. As you look at a bible map, you will see that the gospel is heading to the northern corner of the Mediterranean Sea.

Antioch was a major city in Asia minor. We’ll see in this story how significant the city became for the early church. Antioch was as far as people travelled in escaping the persecution in Jerusalem. Ironically, the people who fled Saul’s persecution will be taught the faith by Saul.

“Spreading the word only among Jews.” The theme of God not showing favouritism is continued as we see the disciples break out of their exclusiveness and share the gospel with Greeks, of whom the entire city was filled.

“The Lord’s hand was with them.” The gospel was received because the Lord was active.

People came to Antioch because of persecution and then did one amazing thing: they spoke to people about Jesus. In a land that is foreign to Judaism and the ministry of Jesus, they spoke about Jesus as Lord and a great number of people believed! There is no other name! And people who have lived generations without knowing God must be prepared to meet Him by learning about Jesus.

22-26 – Saul and Barnabas working together in Antioch

“They sent Barnabus to Antioch”. Notice that Jerusalem is the headquarters for the gospel. This is just pragmatics. It’s not that it is a holy place but that this was the seed from which the gospel has come. The disciples in Jerusalem heard what was happening in this major city to the north and they sent a man who had proven to be an encourager, a good man and full of faith. He was the man who spent time with Saul when he was converted (Acts 9:27), believing that he had been saved before the other disciples did. What a perfect fit to send him to a large city which is responding so quickly and rapidly to the gospel.

Barnabas means encouragement (Acts 4:36) and this man was named because this was his gift. He did as God had gifted him to do in 11:23. Barnabas appears to be a man used by God to take the planted seed which is showing life and encourages it to grow and remain true to the faith. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” Not only does Barnabas encourage the believers, however, his presence and work enables the believers to grow in number (Acts 11:26).

27-30 – Christian charity work

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.” Amazingly, Barnabas thought that Saul was the right man to bring in on this mission in Antioch. He was the one who drove the first believers out of Jerusalem toward Antioch because of his persecution on the followers of Jesus. But Barnabas has seen that God has called Saul to the work of evangelism.

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Saul and Barnabas spent a year in Antioch and again, we are told that great numbers of people were responding to the gospel. The impression is that this large city was a harvest field for a large number of believers. When we are told that the word Christian was first used in Antioch, we must see that this was no small revival taking place. A movement had occurred which attracted a new name. Christ is the Greek word for Messiah which was used in the Old Testament to point forward to the chosen one of God. The believers in Antioch were known for their belief in – Jesus the Christ. They followed, not a lifestyle or method of religion, but a person.

“Some prophets came down from Jerusalem.” Coming down must refer to the terrain rather than the compass direction. But what about the ‘prophets’? Of course, many prophets appeared in the Old Testament to declare what the Lord has said to the people of Israel or to their kings. The entire Old Testament is described as the Law and the Prophets. Prophecy was still present in the time of Jesus (Luke 2:36) and was expected in the church in the first century (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophecy is not only limited to unveiling what will happen in the future. It is a matter of revealing the truth about God and what he has declared to the world. The completion of the bible, with the words of the apostles testimony and teaching, has done away with the need for prophecy. Someone may argue that God still uses prophecy today and that may be so. But it is made insignificant next to the brightness of the gospel news written in the scriptures. The Spirit is given to the church to be able to discern right from wrong and to grow in godliness and maturity. The Son has been declared to the ends of the earth and there is no new word from God. There is no need for a new word. God has spoken, in these last days, by his Son (Hebrews 1). And prophecy was prophesied by Paul to come to an end (1 Corinthians 13). Has it ended? I’m not sure. But I do believe that it is not necessary.

The Christian movement displayed their love for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem by aiding them through the famine. Here, in Antioch, people who believed in the name of Jesus were known as Christians and demonstrated their Christian charity across the known world. Note that the church is growing in the knowledge of Jesus as Lord and that he is Lord of all – this is the universal or ‘catholic’ church. One body.

Meaning

A new hub of the Christian faith was built in Antioch. The gospel is no longer spreading out from one centre which is Jerusalem – it is now forming a network from which the gospel can be spread further. The disciples of the Disciples are now making disciples. The gospel of Jesus is growing from strength to strength.

Application

  1. Barnabas was known as an encourager and sort for Christian aid to help aid the Christian church. Check out the Barnabus Fund and discuss their method, aims and beliefs https://barnabasfund.org/About/who-we-are
  2. What part of the work are you doing in growing the Christian community? There are planters and waterers and encouragers. Where and how has God gifted you?
  3. The disciples in Jerusalem targeted Barnabas to go to Antioch. Likewise, Barnabas targeted Saul to join him on the mission. These are deliberate strategies for growing the kingdom. The gospel spread initially in Antioch when the Jewish-Christians opened their mouths to talk to the Greeks. What strategies are you aware of by Campbelltown Anglican Churches to further the gospel and to strengthen the kingdom? Discuss.
Acts, Church

Acts 10:1-11:18 – I see now that God shows no favouritism

Context

After a chapter describing the conversion of Saul (chapter 9), the account in Acts has returned to Peter and his work in following Jesus’ mission into the world. He healed a man and raised a woman from death in the name of Jesus and many turned to the Lord at that time.

The mission of Christ through the Holy Spirit continues to drive the narrative of the book and Peter remains in the narrative, staying in Joppa, a coastal town and Gentile populated.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-8 – The vision for Cornelius – God has come to you
  • 9-23 The vision for Peter – God has come to the Gentiles
  • 24-48 Peter sees the Spirit delivered to Cornelius
  • 11:1-18 Peter defends his decision to baptise the Gentiles

1-8 – The vision for Cornelius – God has come to you

Cornelius was a non-Jew. Living in Caesarea where Philip had reached back in Acts 8:40, he was the leader of an Italian army. If you could think of the gospel as a kind of plague (a very good and helpful plague) then it is spreading to the shores of the Mediteranean Sea and has the potential to travel to another continent.

But Cornelius is described as a “God-fearing” man. He loved his neighbour by giving generously to those in need and he loved God, demonstrated by his regular prayers. These are both received by God as a ‘memorial offering’. Psalm 20:3 describes God remembering the offerings offered to him. The same sense may be applied here – the Lord sees what the man has done and keeps it in mind.

One issue to grapple with here is the notion that God seems to be responding to the good religion of a man, while the doctrine of grace and sin tells us that we are all hopeless until God first approaches us. The man’s faith is quite basic – he showed love for other people as himself and he revered God. The wisdom books say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But the man did not know Christ. He does not know God and how He has acted in this world for salvation – this is what will enrich the man’s life. Without the gospel, he is a man fumbling in the dark. With the gospel of Jesus, he can confess Him as Lord and receive the Holy Spirit.

The man received a vision from God and responds with immediate obedience. The main point of these verses (1-8) is that God blessed Cornelius – God called Cornelius – God has come to Cornelius.

9-23 The vision for Peter – God has come to the Gentiles

“As they were on their journey…” – the next stage of this narrative occurs while the servants of Cornelius were approaching. This means that God had not prepared Peter first and then sent for Cornelius. Rather, God called Cornelius for action knowing that Peter still needed to be prepared. God is confident about the outcome and is acting in the lives of two men in parallel. While He is working on moving the heart of one man to call Jesus Lord, he is working on the heart of another to call Jesus Lord of ALL!

“I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” (Dt 14:3-20; also Lev 11:4-8; 13-20; Eze 4:14). The description that Luke gives of the animals are not specific enough to conclude if they were actually unclean but the response from Peter and the point seems clear. Although Peter is preaching the new gospel of Jesus, he is still thinking like a Jew. This is not a bad thing. The New Testament unravels the ramifications of the gospel over time. Peter needs to learn something for the first time that we have been brought up to know.

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision…” – verse 17 and 19 both describe a long thought by Peter about this vision. The vision and message happened three times (v16), giving him time to soak it in and ponder what he saw. The timing is perfect for the visitors to arrive and teach Peter about the implications of the gospel to the whole world.

“The next day Peter started out with them…” – this will be the second day since Cornelius received the vision and a day after that (v24) Peter will arrive to give Cornelius life. These “third day” events are no coincidence. Cornelius is about to be reborn on the third day just as Saul received his sight again on the third day. We shouldn’t look for some application for us along the lines of only doing good on the third day or whatever, but we should observe what the bible is showing us – that these all occur as planned acts of God with echoes of Jesus’ resurrection – the very reason we can all be born again.

24-48 Peter sees the Spirit delivered to Cornelius

“Cornelius met [Peter] and fell at his feet in reverence.” – this helps us to see the primitive understanding that Cornelius has of God. When he falls at the feet of Peter, he treats him as a revered man rather than a simple servant of the Most High.

“Against the Law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.” – These “laws” are reflected in Jn 4:9; 18:28 and Acts 11:3. Although the Old Testament did teach the people of Israel to have nothing to do with the foreigner, it also commends Israel for welcoming the stranger. It seems like the laws of the Jews had overlooked the spirit of the law. But this is why Peter needs to be taught to love the Gentiles rather than to do it naturally.

“I now realise how true it is that God does not show favoritism…” – Peter begins a short speech here to clarify what this current passage is about – Peter has been taught that God does not show favoritism.

“But accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” This is a true gospel statement. God absolutely does accept people from every and any nation who fear him and does what is right. And what is right is to respond to Jesus with acceptance and repentance. So, Peter does the logical thing of inviting Cornelius to know Jesus. This is an important point: the ‘good man’, Cornelius, needs to know Jesus. Peter describes the gospel next and it’s worth bullet-pointing what elements he includes…

  • God sent the good news to the people of Israel
  • The good news is about peace through Jesus Christ
  • Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
  • Jesus ministered in the area of Judea.
  • Jesus was baptised by John and commenced his mission.
  • He healed and did good
  • He worked against the power of the devil
  • God was with him.
  • The apostles are witnesses of all that Jesus did.
  • Jesus was killed by the Jews on a cross
  • But God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day
  • Jesus was seen by the witnesses whom God chose to see him.
  • These chosen witnesses were the disciples who ate and drank with Jesus after the resurrection.
  • These disciples were commanded to preach and to testify that Jesus is the one God had appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
  • The Old Testament prophets testified about this Jesus.
  • They said that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

That is the gospel that Peter preached to Cornelius: God sent Jesus to the Jews. The Jews killed Jesus but God raised him from the dead. Chosen witnesses of God have been commanded to preach and testify in the same vein as the prophets: that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. This is the same format Peter followed when he preached in Acts 2. That sermon occurred on the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all who believed. This sermon in Acts 10 occurred on the day that the Holy Spirit was given to Cornelius, a Gentile. Verses 44-46 are reminiscent of the day at Pentecost.

“baptised with water.” After the Holy Spirit had been clearly given (speaking in tongues was a clear sign to Peter and his company that the Spirit was given – it doesn’t follow that no gift of tongues shows no Spirit given), Peter had no reason to refuse the water ritual – a merely human act which invites people into the shared community of believers. This little passage helps us to have a sober view of baptism. It is overshadowed by the real transaction which is the giving of the Holy Spirit. It is still performed as a sign of unity in the faith.

11:1-18 Peter defends his decision to baptise the Gentiles

I won’t write about these verses. Peter clearly convinces his brothers in Jerusalem that God is inviting the Gentiles to eternal life with them. This will be a sticking point for many pages of the New Testament. It is a hard thing to grasp, that God loves the world and is saving sinners for eternity. While I am technically a Gentile, I catch myself sometimes wondering how God can love so and so or such and such. They are very brief thoughts but they hark back to my self-righteousness – this is not the gospel. We need to learn with Peter and the Jews that God does not show favouritism (James 2).

Meaning

The one gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the same gospel across the globe. Across the globe, there is no other gospel.

Application

  1. Know the gospel – it’s all about Jesus. Peter’s recital of the gospel was fluid yet full. Fluid because he didn’t stick to the same practiced words each time. Full because it was more than Jesus dying for sins. It was an ancient promise fulfilled by God that Jesus is Lord and eternal life can be found in his name. Do you know the gospel fluently? Confidently? Can you articulate it in your own words so that it makes sense and is true to the name of Jesus?
  2. A good man who loves his wife and kids and neighbourhood still needs to hear that Jesus is Lord. God saw that Cornelius was a good, God-fearing man, and he worked everything out so that he would hear the gospel.
  3. God does not show favouritism. Any race. Any mental state. Any gender. Any religion of origin. God desires all to hear and respond to the name of Jesus. How does this impact you? Do you shy away from some people and favour others? How can you work on that? How can we improve as a church in reaching everybody for the gospel?
Acts, Conversion, Forgiveness, Repentance

Acts 9:1-31 – New Life in Christ – Saul is no match for the power of the gospel

Context

Acts 1:8 provides the project from Jesus to the eleven: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out in commencement of  a new era in the work of God in this world: the Spirit was not limited to people in special offices such as the prophet, priest and king but that all who believe in the name of Jesus would be saved and receive the Holy Spirit. Peter proclaimed the name of Jesus first in Jerusalem and thousands believed his message.

The church grew and the apostles organised 7 men to look after the distribution of money to those in need in the church. These were godly men filled with the Holy Spirit. When Stephen, one of the seven, was persecuted and stoned to death, the church scattered from Jerusalem and into the world. Philip, one of the seven, went to Samaria and preached the word there and the disciples came to investigate and preach also. Philip also took the gospel message to an Ethiopian man by the power of the Spirit. So, the Acts 1:8 plan was being fulfilled.

While Stephen was stoned to death in chapter 7, we are told that a young man named Saul looked on and minded the persecutors’ coats (Acts 7:58) and he “approved of their killing him” (Acts 8:1). While chapter 8 explores what happens as a result of church persecution, chapter 9 returns to the character of Saul.

Chapter 9 opens with the fiery hate of Saul aimed at the growing disciples of the Lord: members of “the Way”.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-2 – The hatred of Saul against the Way
  • 1-9 – Saul’s vision with Jesus
  • 10-16 – Ananias’ vision with Jesus
  • 17-19 – Saul is born again!
  • 20-22 – Saul’s gift for preaching
  • 23-25 – Saul’s own persecution
  • 26-30 – The apostles’ embrace Saul
  • 31 – A time of peace and strengthening for the followers of Jesus.

Verses 1-2 The hatred of Saul against the Way

“Meanwhile” – the persecution against the followers of Jesus did not cease while the happenings of chapter 8 occurred. Saul’s energy was being spent in direct opposition and was not taking a break – it seems he was just getting started!

“…against the Lord’s disciples…who belonged to the Way…” Little gems like this are easy to miss because we might forget that “the church” was still in its infancy and actually still operating as a unity within Judaism rather than as a church-plant. How would Saul find the followers of Jesus? Would he go to their church? No, he would approach the Jewish community both in Jerusalem and in Damascus and seek them out. But! How would he recognise them? He is looking for people who have believed that Jesus is Lord. They are the Lord’s disciples – apparently referred to as members of “the Way”.

Saul had hate for anybody who placed Jesus in the position of God. It was blasphemy to him. People who mingled among Jews calling Jesus Lord and calling Jesus the Way the Truth and the Life ought to, according to Saul, be locked up in prison.

“breathing out murderous threats.” The NIV translation is fine but a clunkier translation might read “still breathing threat and murder toward the disciples of the Lord.” I think the nuance here is that he was openly threatening the disciples even with murder. They were not just empty words but full of literal intent.

Saul had absolute disgust and violent feelings toward Jesus and anyone associated with him. To Saul, they were a plague.

Verses 3-9 Saul’s vision with Jesus

This little section begins with Saul ready and able to take down the disciples in Damascas (he had successfully scattered them out of Jerusalem) and ends with Saul disabled. What changed him? – the voice of the Lord!

When Jesus speaks with Saul, he reasons with him. I’ve spoken to a man who claims to have had amazing visions and signs from God but he was only ever left with impressions of God’s power and holiness (a bit like Ezekiel). When Saul has an encounter with the ascended Jesus, he appeals to Saul’s reason. “Why?” asks Jesus, “are you persecuting me?”

Notice how bound up we are to Jesus. He is our Lord and the Way and we are his body. Saul experienced first hand what it means to attack the body of Christ. Jesus is not saying that he loves these disciples so much that he’s willing to look out for them – he is saying that when you attack them, you attack Christ.

There was a light and a voice from heaven which Saul saw and heard. Those travelling with him heard something but did not see what Saul saw. Did they hear the voice and the conversation? That is not clear and the point is that the voice was directed to Saul. Jesus confirms that Saul is not fighting against a heresy but against the very Word of God. “The Way”, that Saul was fuming against, was not a band of new thinkers but the product of God’s mission into the world – they were followers of the Truth.

Saul is left speechless, sightless and unable or willing to eat for three days. He quite effectively experiences a death before his resurrection to new life with Christ – something he will say we all do according to Romans 6:1-4. On the third day, he would receive sight!

10-16 – Ananias’ vision with Jesus

Ananias means “Yahweh has dealt graciously”. Names are sometimes just names but imagine how Saul might have understood the events of the past few days when received and healed by a man named Ananias. This man, living in Damascas, was the very one Saul was charged to hunt down and put in prison, but now, Ananias is charged by God to find Saul and restore his sight.

“In a vision.” God has communicated to people in this world through visions right through the bible. This does not mean that He did this daily and to everybody. The bible is full of unusual events. It is worth noting that the New Testament does not instruct us to look out for visions from God, but it does command us to listen to the Word of God. Saul was to become one of the great writers of the New Testament so that we could hear God’s voice and know how we must live.

“This man is my chosen instrument.” God is a great story teller. While there was a man in Damascas named Ananias who was already a faithful disciple of the Lord and who was willing to listen to the voice of God and respond in obedience – that man was not the one God chose to proclaim His name to the Gentiles and kings and people of Israel – effectively the world! No, God’s choice was the very man who, at the beginning of the narrative, hated Jesus and everybody who calls on His name. Abraham was an old and childless man when called by God to be the father of many. Moses was a reluctant, stammering murderer when he was called to lead the people of Israel to freedom. David had no mighty look about him like Saul did when God set him apart to be the man after his own heart. The disciples were just fishermen and Galileans. Mary and Joseph were poor. While we have a tendancy to raise up and train the “right” people for God’s work – God chooses the weak and foolish to do his work (1 Cor 1:27).

“I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” In doing the work of God, Saul will be taking up his cross to follow. Two heresies are debunked by the conversion of Saul: 1) that God saves those who are seeking him – Saul was actively fighting the true God – and 2) that God saves people to bless them in this life – well, it depends on how you define or view blessing. The Christian walk is not for the faint hearted. Saul’s mission especially was to fight the good fight and run the race to the end and experience much suffering throughout. See 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 for Paul’s recital of his life of suffering for Christ.

17-19 – Saul is born again!

“Brother Saul” – here is the great thing about these verses: Ananias immediately calls Saul his brother! The Lord had conveyed quite clearly to Ananias that Saul was one of His. Who is Ananias to label Saul as anything other than a brother. He could have gone sheepishly to Saul and opened his eyes and then waited nervously to see if Saul would retaliate with hate, but he acts in faith that this man has been saved by God. Saul’s eyes are healed and he receives the Holy Spirit, he is baptised and then remains in the presence of the disciples for several days. Saul has been called out of darkness and into God’s wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).

20-22 – Saul’s gift for preaching

Saul had the knowledge of the scriptures to argue that Jesus is the Son of God. He didn’t just speak from ignorance but from his knowledge and understanding. The difference in Saul’s mind is that he now sees that Jesus is the Messiah. The scriptures that Saul knew contained all the information that he needed for “proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

23-25 – Saul’s own persecution

The persecution that Saul set out to hand to the disciples in Damascus is now being dealt out on him. Perhaps the Jews could not take him legally within the walls of Damascus, but outside the walls, he was anyone’s?

Note that in only days (although many but not so many that it would be called months!) Saul had gathered his own disciples! In verse 25 it was his own followers that lowered him down in a basket outside a wall. His impact for the gospel had been great. These may have been new converts or simply disciples who saw that Saul had depth of knowledge and passion for Christ that they wished to learn from. It should be noted that we are called to be disciple makers too (Matthew 28:19-20).

Saul was led down the wall in a basket. He would later refer to this moment as a key example of how his life was no longer great in the eyes of the world – if he is going to boast, then he will boast in the persecution and suffering that he has endured for Christ (2 Cor 11).

26-30 – The apostles’ embrace Saul

Saul’s reputation in Jerusalem was great and it took a little convincing for the disciples there to receive him. It was Barnabas, meaning one who encourages, who speaks for Saul to the disciples. It was the evidence that Saul had “preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” that convinced the disciples that Saul was now one of them. This is the place of testing for all humanity – how you receive and talk of Jesus. Only the saved will boast of his Lordship and demonstrate that they truly believe this.

This narrative has come full circle, almost. The hater of the disciples has now become one of their key members. The one who sort to kill them is now being saved by them as they lead him out of persecution back to his home town of Tarsus.

31 – A time of peace and strengthening for the followers of Jesus.

The people of “the Way” are described as the church in this verse. See 5:11; 8:1, 3. They were the gathering of disciples and experienced peace and strengthening at the end of chapter 9. The church increased in number through this time of peace. Many have said that it takes persecution to grow a church, and there is truth in that! But here we see a time of peace and still growth. The ingredients was 1) living in the fear of the Lord and 2) encouraged by the Holy Spirit.

Living in the fear of the Lord – not to be confused with being terrified of God – this expression refers to those who treat God with awe and respect. He is our creator and King – not buddy and equal. We are saved by Jesus from judgement – we must remember that judgement is part of the message of the gospel. Living in the fear of the Lord is expressed in holy living and loving as God has first loved us. The opposite of fearing the Lord is to disregard his authority and live loosely in the presumption of his love.

Encouraged by the Holy Spirit – The task of the Holy Spirit, as described by Jesus, is to lead us into truth and to convict the world that Jesus is Lord. The Spirit does that secretly in the hearts and minds of believers and He does it blatantly through the reading of his word (2 Timothy 3:15-17). We must not think that the Holy Spirit is a whimsical experience that comes and goes like a party trick. He is our constant councilor to show us that Jesus is Lord and redeemer. Our encouragement from the Holy Spirit is through knowledge and conviction over the matter of Jesus. The Spirit sets our eyes on the King and the hope of our future.

Meaning

“This man is my chosen instrument.” Christ chose Saul. Christ confronted Saul. Christ enlightened Saul. Christ put Saul to work. Saul became an instrument for Christ’s mission – his passion and drive was redirected from the powers of darkness and to the gospel of light. Ephesians 2:4-10 come to mind.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Application

  1. Examine in your heart who you think God is unable to save. Do you feel like there are people who are out of God’s reach? How does this passage convict you to change your mind?
  2. How has God been preparing you all of your life for his service? God didn’t give Saul a sudden depth of knowledge of the scriptures but drew on years and years of his knowledge to show him how it is applied now to Jesus. Are there ways that God has been shaping you from birth for a certain task for his kingdom?
  3. The disciples in Jerusalem lived in fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Consider how you can adopt these two approaches to life – a right and healthy view of Jesus and the growth in knowledge and understanding that comes by the Holy Spirit.