Completing my example 1 of prayer for someone to be saved; as I repeatedly nag it isn't something we find in scripture. Paul when on trial went as close as saying he wished to see someone saved ( Acts 26:28 with Agrippa). Just as we once were before the light broke through we were once blinded to the truth; and therefore shouldn't expect any efforts no matter how sincere or even faith filled will make one iota of difference in bringing someone to salvation. That is a really harsh statement at face value.
We know for a fact it won't work with someone already physically deceased; and of course that would be a sin or necromancy and useless according to Hebrews 9:27. But we were once "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:13). It is easy as a true believer to be perplexed how people can have multiple and long term opportunities to hear the Gospel and still reject it. What is worse is those who go along and perhaps make a confession but are insincere in their hearts; thus never producing "good fruit". We know that if we hear the truth it is of God as our spirit testifies with His Spirit that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:16).
The rest of the world is content that Christ is a good teacher or Prophet as that is all they can see; His humanity apart from Divinity as a member of the Godhead.
I will leave this topic with a general statement. We should sow seeds with whoever we can; but not make an undo effort to spend an inordinate amount of time with those not open to the Gospel at the expense of the Great Commission at large.
As Jesus stated in comparison to our service to God we must hate those closest to us; which doesn't mean of course to abandon care as that makes us worse than an infidel. Our motivation for service must be to serve God always; and that has to be despite whether all those we care about come to Christ or not.
Acts 16:30-33 states: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
This passage shows what appears at first glance to be a statement that supports the idea of infant baptism; or that entire households as a given are saved as a result of one person coming to faith. I would take it more as a word of knowledge on Paul's part. We see in this passage in verse 32 that the Gospel was spoken to the entire household of the jail guard first; and immediately afterwards baptism occurred (although it is not clear where that was done in the middle of the night).
The main concept here is that with the earthquake and releasing of chains at midnight of Paul and all the prisoners brought great fear; and that this shows the Biblical prescident for faith; that is an emphasis on the fear of the Lord and a desire for the individual to come to faith without prodding or compulsion by others as is the style today. When we see other verses such as in Acts when Agrippa almost was convinced to be a Christian ( Acts 26:28) it was through Paul's eloquent appeal. Repent and believe is a general call; but I can't find any specific verses where an individual is called to make a confession of faith such as in modern day "altar calls". This shows that a heart must be ready; and how frequently such commitments are made due to pressure from man; rather than genuine conviction. The appeal in Acts to the Jews was that the one they had crucified was indeed the Christ ( Acts 2:23). Such response brings persecution as all who are giving a genuine convicting message of truth; this is opposed to today's easy believism without counting the cost which happens often.
Rev. 19:13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev. 12:9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and the angels were cast out with him.
1 Cor. 2:14,15. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Acts 26:17. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 Peter 1:20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Every 'deception' and 'truth' can be confirmed with the 'Word of God' for the 'Word is God ' ( John 1:1). It is the only Book in the world that is able to do that. The unfortunate part is that mankind in its natural state is not able to understand it ( Cor. 2:14). For that reason every person needs to repent and turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:16-18).
There is only one City in the world that is built on seven mountains ( Rev. 17:9) and that is Rome: the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caeline and the Aventine.
I should clarify my understanding of Acts 26:22,23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
The phrase "unto the people, and unto the Gentiles" is, I believe, a phrase used here by God to encompasses all peoples of the World, Jew and Gentile alike, throughout time, to whom God would send the Gospel. Abel, Enoch, Noah, the Ninevites, the Queen of Sheba were not Jews. They were all "Gentiles" and not descendants of Abraham.
I admit to not having a good grasp of your "understanding" of how those living in OT times were "saved", and the "gospel" that was "preached to them". And in particular how God "applied" Salvation to each individual that He saved; from Abel to Enoch to Noah; and then to Abraham and those of Israel and Judah that He saved, all of whom were a tiny remnant of those living during the OT, as in the NT.
I see only one Gospel of Salvation throughout the Whole Bible. And only one process for "applying" that Salvation to ALL of God's elect throughout time. And that was by God's Mercy and God's Grace Alone. Where none of "their works" nor any "inherent faith" contributed in any way to their Salvation. Just like Salvation during the NT.
Now granted that Gospel was not as clearly articulated in the OT as in the NT as God continued to write the Bible throughout history. But Noah "was a preacher of righteousness"; and the Ceremonial Laws; and all the books of the OT, like Isaiah and Jeremiah contained the same Gospel of Judgment and Salvation by Christ's Atonement as is articulated in the NT.
We read this statement by the Apostle Paul in Acts 26:22-23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the PROPHETS and MOSES did say should come:That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people{OT}, and to the Gentiles{NT}.
So the Gospel of Hebrews 4 and Acts 26 and the Whole Bible is the Gospel of the REST of Salvation, God's WORK of Grace Alone apart from any work that man does. And the EFFICACY of that WORK, Christ's Atonement, applied throughout time.
And, I'm sorry to say, that is not the gospel that I see in your comments regarding OT Believers. I see a Works / Grace gospel and a process for applying Salvation to the life of the OT believer, not found anywhere in the Bible.
Luke is written specifically to Theophilus, but in general to all Gentiles. Theophilus means "lover of God," THEOS for God, PHILEO for love. It's either a name or title. It was a common name at the time. Many parents named their children Theophilus hoping their kids would love God. It was also used as a title and may have been used in order to hide his identity.
In Luke, he's not just called Theophilus, but "most excellent Theophilus" which means that he was either in the Roman military or Roman government, and he's getting the gospel about Jesus Christ. So, Theophilus could be a title or a code name for someone so that their real identity is not revealed.
His title "Most excellent" is one Greek word. It's found to be a title of an officer in the Roman military and also found as a title for an official in the Roman government. Both are called "most excellent" or "most honorable." The title is used three times in Acts. In Acts 23:26, we see "most excellent governor Felix."
These are all governors of Rome. Acts 24:3, "most noble Felix," and Acts 26:25 "most noble Festus," same word. They held these titles in the Roman military and in the Roman government. He was either a government official or in the military. Tradition says he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other.
Acts was written to Theophilus. Acts 1:1 says, the former treaties (that would be the gospel of Luke), the former treaties that I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, the book of Acts would be to the same person. And what he's saying is that Luke (the first Volume I gave you), was what Jesus began to do and teach. Now here's what He continues to do and teach, and that would be the book of Acts.
It's also interesting that Acts 1:1-11 is a summary statement of Luke Chapter 24. So, they overlap. He goes back and summarizes Luke 24 in Acts Chapter 1:1-11.
Jesus knew what was going to happen and much of what He told the disciples was what was going to happen to them, to prepare them for what He just told them when the temple would be destroyed. Does part of this discourse apply to the future? Yes
Matt. 24:5-13 History and the Bible document that there were several men as false Messiahs, false prophets that deceived many and which convinced many and led them to revolt to liberate Jerusalem from Roman occupation. Josephus tells us that impostors drew great multitudes after them into the wilderness, and he mentions an Egyptian prophet. We see this in Acts 21:36-38.
We have Theudas in Acts 5:36 and Judas of Galilee in Acts 5:37-8 and Simon in Acts 8:9-11, and there was more. For us today many come in the name of Jesus saying, Jesus is Christ, but they deceive and make merchandise of people. We must not ignore the first thing He said after they asked Him "Take heed that no man deceive you."
There were many conflicts between the nations around Jerusalem and Rome was having wars that caused famine. Claudius invaded Britain in 46AD, there was a great famine in Syria. Rome took control over the temple along with the sacred treasury and there was a great famine in Jerusalem.
The Jews were having small scrimmages that led to the revolt in 66 AD. We see in the bible a famine was going on, in Acts 11:27-29 in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Where Paul was collecting things for those in Jerusalem because they were starving. There were earthquakes in Rome, Pergamum, Laodicea, and Judea in the 50s and 60s.
We see what the Jews did to Peter and John and the first they killed was Steven and then most of them. and what Paul says about what they did in all the synagogues Acts 26:10-11. But enduring to the end the same shall be saved does not mean their flesh life would be saved.
I think that King Agrippa, who was a Jew, understood what Paul was speaking to him concerning Israel. But when Paul began to give his conversion testimony ( Acts 26:13 onwards), Paul's words probably were foreign to him, resulting in his exclamation, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." And what Agrippa meant was that, 'with only a few words from you and in so short a time, you expect me to turn to this Christ?' Agrippa may have understood the logic of what Paul was testifying, that it made sense, but he probably still had a long way to go to let that knowledge sink into his heart, convincing him, convicting him, to turn to Christ for salvation. Maybe, at some later date, the Holy Spirit was able to draw him further into the Truth, even bringing him salvation.
Ephesians 1:14. The concept of the Kinsman-Redeemer was in the Book of Ruth; as to Boaz obtaining Ruth as part of his inheritance; or you could say "property". The concept of ownership is foreign in today's culture in terms of slavery; however we should look at verses such as Luke 17:10 on us being "unworthy servants" when we do what we are told. With the story of Ruth she was from a Gentile origin; and her sister Orpha decided to abandon Naomi when she told her to go back to her people (the Moabites). Apparently Ruth's first husband was an Israelite but he had died. Ruth hanging on despite Naomi asking her to go back reminds me somewhat of the tenacity of the Gentile woman asking for healing in Matthew 15:26. The colloquialism Christ used was of the dogs; yet she was commended for her faith.
Obviously; Christ redeemed us as His bride from among all mankind according to the Ephesians quote and this is mentioned in many other verses (Google search is always very helpful). As Boaz brought value to Ruth by marrying her and continuing the lineage of Naomi's family we are adopted as sons ( Romans 8:14-17). God took us; worthless sinners hopelessly lost and His enemies and took on our sin defeating it with His blood sacrifice once and for all at the Cross. He purchased us and it even pleased God to crush Him to accomplish this ( Isaiah 53:10). God's love therefore transcends our own as we would scarcely die for a righteous man let alone a wicked one (according to human standards) according to Romans 5:7.
Now that we are part of His family; we also will recieve crowns as a reward for faithfulness ( James 1:12 etc). We shall rule and reign with Him ( Matthew 19:28-29) but notice the caviat; "if we suffer for Him". We are warned in Revelation 3:11 about losing our reward; that is not a salvation issue. However; we need to make sure that we are producing fruit "meet of repentance" ( Acts 26:20). If He lives within us we are transformed and a new man.
Although Paul was not married at the time he wrote his letters, he more than likely was married at one point. The bible does not mention a wife or what happened to her, whether she died or whatever the case might be, but we do know from Acts 26:10 that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin because only the Sanhedrin were allowed to vote for the death penalty against Christians, and Paul voted (he gave his voice against them). It was also a strict requirement that a man had to be married in order to be a member of the Sanhedrin. So Paul would have had to be married at one time.
Of all of the teachings of Catholicism,Purgatoryis probably the one most often attacked by Catholics themselves. There are at least three reasons why that's so: many Catholics do not understand the need for Purgatory; they do not understand the scriptural basis for Purgatory, and they have been unintentionally misled by priests and catechism teachers who themselves do not understand what the Catholic Church has taught and continues to teach about Purgatory.
And so many Catholics have become convinced that the Church quietly dropped her belief in Purgatory a few decades ago.
So why do so many people think that belief in Purgatory is no longer a doctrine of the Church? Part of the confusion arises because some Catholics conflate Purgatory and Limbo, a supposed place of natural bliss where the souls of children who die without having received Baptism go because they are unable to enter Heaven since Baptism is necessary for salvation. Limbo is a theological speculation, which has been called into question in recent years by no less a figure than Pope Benedict XVI; Purgatory, however, is doctrinal teaching.
The eternal punishment of sin can be removed through the Sacrament of Confession.But the temporal punishment for our sins remains even after we have been forgiven in Confession, which is why the priest gives us a penance to perform.
Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
I am not going to accuse or anything like that. Jesus sees us from birth to death. God lives outside of the TIME of earths clock. Come to Jesus. Agree with John 3 in the Bible. Receive Jesus into your heart. Live just for Jesus.
Just as I said, you are ignorant of the Gospel in the King James Bible that is: "Christ Jesus took our place in hell." He said he would be in the heart of the earth ( Matt. 12:40) and greatly feared going there, praying in agony, and sweating blood, not to go there ( Luke 22:42-44). The wicked dead are only in hell. "He made his grave with the wicked" Isaiah 53:9-10 where "his SOUL was made an offering for sin" and Jesus would "be the FIRST that should rise from the DEAD" as Acts 26:23 tells you and "His soul was not left in hell." Acts 2:31 clearly tells you. Jesus did what no man can do; anyone can die on a cross, and anyone can go into hell, but only Jesus came out of hell after 36 hours which no other soul has done. God raise Jesus from the DEAD and unless you believe THAT you cannot be saved. Without someone taking your place in hell you will go there. This is Christianity 101; Why do you not know this? You believe the strong delusional lie that denies that Jesus suffered in hell which saves no one! God made the Gospel so simple; just know that "Christ Jesus took your place in hell" and you HAVE Eternal Life! Where is your brain?
Yes, Matthew 2:2, Luke 23:51, John 4:22, John 8:31, John 11:45, Acts 14:1, Acts 17:1-4, Acts 21:20, Acts 22:12, Paul himself was,is Acts 26:4, Revelation 7:5,
Hello Ida. The Apostle Paul, known as Saul earlier, was a member of a Jewish religious sect called the Pharisees. Paul himself referred to this position that he previously held (in Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5,6). There were three main Jewish sects at that time of Jesus' Life on Earth: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, & the Essenes. The Pharisees (which meant, 'separated one'), had very strong beliefs, so strong that they compelled people to fully obey God's Laws. And to do this, they created many other laws (practises of behaviour) that weighed heavily upon the common people. And Jesus greatly condemned them for this & their many hypocrisies ( Matthew 23:1-36).
But when Saul met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, he instantly learned that the Christians he was hunting down & killing were serving this Jesus Whom he was encountering at that very moment. Saul was a changed man & as he learned more from Jesus, with the Spirit filling him to believe & serve, he could say in Philippians 3:7-10, that all that he had learned & believed were now useless & filthy. The new knowledge gained directly from Jesus revealed his errors as a Pharisee - his trusting in the Law to make him righteous could never work, but now having only faith in Christ to save him, did.
I trust you can see how wonderfully the revelation of Christ to Saul changed him from a strict Pharisee (Saul) to one of a humble obedient servant of Jesus (Paul) trusting in Christ now & moved in his spirit to reach out to his countrymen & also to the Gentiles.
Hello Keron. The Bible tells us that "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch" ( Acts 11:26). I think that the word 'disciples' probably refers to all those who subscribed to the teachings of Jesus & followed Him & not just the twelve. And that is essentially what 'Christian' means: a Christ follower. At that time, it was used more as a derogatory word & probably spoken with disdain against those 'sectarians' who turned their backs to Judaism, embracing this Person called 'the Christ'.
Other terms were also applied to these new 'sectarians', such as Nazarenes & those of The Way. Probably taken from the One they considered their Teacher/Rabbi, of his origin & proclamation ( Matthew 2:23; John 14:6).
And then we see that the word 'Christian' came more into vogue, as King Agrippa himself used the word ( Acts 26:28) & Peter referring to those who suffer as a Christian, as opposed to those suffering for any wrongdoing or even a false accusation, whether Christian or not ( 1 Peter 4:16).
Paul the Apostle was sent to the Gentiles - In Reply on Genesis 1 - 2 years ago
People's Bible Notes for Acts 20:22
Commentary
"I go bound in the spirit. Urged by a sense of duty, yet knowing from the premonitions of the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem."
Acts 21:12-14
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man [Paul] that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Verse 30: Paul is kicked out of Church and later beaten by the Jews.
I've read that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin when persecution broke out against the early church, and one of the requirements for being in the Sanhedrin is that the person be married. GiGi, I also believe that either Paul's wife had either passed away or she divorced him because of his conversion. Whatever the case may be, we don't know. But he says I'm single, and I wished, not commanding, but I wished that everybody was as I myself.
Brothers Chris and David, you make some excellent points. Paul spoke about how a married man or married woman might be distracted because their focus would be on how they might please one another instead of on Christ. It seems as though this would be a natural thing for one who's married. So Paul may have experienced this both ways, being married, and then later on being single.
Paul says in Acts 26:10 "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison." He goes on to say that many of the saints that believed in Jesus of Nazareth, I shut them up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
And then it's interesting where he says that when they were put to death, "I gave my voice against them." This means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He voted for the death penalty against Christians. Only the Sanhedrin could cast a vote for the death penalty.
We know back in Acts Chapter 7, especially with Stephen, that Paul was there to oversee it. And what the witnesses would do, the witnesses had to do the stoning, but they would take their overcoats off and lay them at the feet of the man that is in charge of overseeing the execution, and so they laid them at the feet of a man named Saul.
And here he's telling them "I was active in shutting them up in prison having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I was voting, I gave my voice against them.
Hello Helen. If I may first give you a little bit of this particular king's history so you can understand it better.
There are two King Agrippas seen in the Bible, both part of the Herod family, however, six Herods are revealed to us in the New Testament; the Herods were Idumeans/Edomites.
King Herod Agrippa I was a grandson of Herod the Great; he ruled over Judea and Samaria. Agrippa I is the "King Herod" who killed James and imprisoned Peter ( Acts 12:1-3).
The son of Agrippa I was King Herod Agrippa II, & was also known as Julius Marcus Agrippa; he was the brother of Bernice and Drusilla and heard Paul's defence of the gospel in Acts 26. Agrippa II had quite a lot of power in Jewish religious affairs, for he had been given custodianship of the temple and the authority to appoint the high priest. So, the Agrippa you read of in Acts chapter 26, is King Agrippa II. Hope that answers your question.
Thank you for that response, brother Rick. It is true, that there are many things that I believe & write that I am fully convinced of, because that is what I find in the Scriptures. The 'apostolic age' (meaning, the era or set period) ended with the twelve disciples becoming apostles (i.e. from a position of learning/training to a position of being sent out on a mission/a messenger: 'apostolos').
Then we get Saul coming out of nowhere & never numbered with the twelve apostles. We know the difficulty he had with that, in spite of him believing what the Lord Jesus Who appeared to him from Heaven, declared ( Acts 26:13-18, before King Agrippa). Even when the Corinthians began to doubt his apostleship, Paul had to declare that he was called by the Lord to this work ( 1 Corinthians 15:7-9, the least of the apostles & one born out of due time). And there are many other references where Paul had to prove his calling & apostleship. Yet, he was a chosen vessel having seen the risen Christ just as the other twelve did. So we get a clear idea of what the position of an apostle is. If we then attempt to bring that into the post-apostolic period, then the closest we can equate that to, is the Missionary, who does the work of the apostle, especially if he has had that heavenly vision.
In relation to prophets, this seems clearer. You know what the prophetical utterances & writings are, as seen in the Word. And you also know, the Book of the Revelation given to John with the stern warning in Revelation 22:18,19. In my understanding, what could a supposed prophet of God reveal to us that is more than what we find in the OT & NT till the final revelation? No one has yet declared a prophetical event in the future with any certainty. Many have tried & their prophecies have failed. And to overcome this problem of the end of the prophetical voice, some believe that a so-called prophet who brings any message, becomes a prophetical word. I think a preacher/teacher does that quite well.
To kick against the goads - is a Syriac proverb, expressing an attempt that brings nothing but pain.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 9:5
Acts 9:5 Who art thou, Lord? Sure that it was a supernatural communication, though he might possibly suspect its source, he did not yet know that it came from Christ. Perhaps at times he had had misgivings that he might be wrong, but he was sincere. I am Jesus. It is not said, "the Christ", but JESUS, the crucified one against whom Saul was raging. Had the answer been "the Christ", or the Son of God, Saul might still have doubted whether this was Jesus. [It is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Omitted here by the Revised Version, but found in Acts 26:14. The idea is that he is injuring himself, like the ox that kicks back on the goads used to urge him forward.
Acts 9:5
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads).
Acts 22:8
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Acts 26:15
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
Mishael: another thing is this= Jesus always says Follow Me. He says today is the day of salvation. He's here today!
No one else is coming. If you hear his call today, follow Him.
There is a Link on the red page, Become A Christian. It's a lot to read, but I think it will answer your question. Come back, if it doesn't, ok?
Completing my example 1 of prayer for someone to be saved; as I repeatedly nag it isn't something we find in scripture. Paul when on trial went as close as saying he wished to see someone saved ( Acts 26:28 with Agrippa). Just as we once were before the light broke through we were once blinded to the truth; and therefore shouldn't expect any efforts no matter how sincere or even faith filled will make one iota of difference in bringing someone to salvation. That is a really harsh statement at face value.
We know for a fact it won't work with someone already physically deceased; and of course that would be a sin or necromancy and useless according to Hebrews 9:27. But we were once "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:13). It is easy as a true believer to be perplexed how people can have multiple and long term opportunities to hear the Gospel and still reject it. What is worse is those who go along and perhaps make a confession but are insincere in their hearts; thus never producing "good fruit". We know that if we hear the truth it is of God as our spirit testifies with His Spirit that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:16).
The rest of the world is content that Christ is a good teacher or Prophet as that is all they can see; His humanity apart from Divinity as a member of the Godhead.
I will leave this topic with a general statement. We should sow seeds with whoever we can; but not make an undo effort to spend an inordinate amount of time with those not open to the Gospel at the expense of the Great Commission at large.
As Jesus stated in comparison to our service to God we must hate those closest to us; which doesn't mean of course to abandon care as that makes us worse than an infidel. Our motivation for service must be to serve God always; and that has to be despite whether all those we care about come to Christ or not.
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
This passage shows what appears at first glance to be a statement that supports the idea of infant baptism; or that entire households as a given are saved as a result of one person coming to faith. I would take it more as a word of knowledge on Paul's part. We see in this passage in verse 32 that the Gospel was spoken to the entire household of the jail guard first; and immediately afterwards baptism occurred (although it is not clear where that was done in the middle of the night).
The main concept here is that with the earthquake and releasing of chains at midnight of Paul and all the prisoners brought great fear; and that this shows the Biblical prescident for faith; that is an emphasis on the fear of the Lord and a desire for the individual to come to faith without prodding or compulsion by others as is the style today. When we see other verses such as in Acts when Agrippa almost was convinced to be a Christian ( Acts 26:28) it was through Paul's eloquent appeal. Repent and believe is a general call; but I can't find any specific verses where an individual is called to make a confession of faith such as in modern day "altar calls". This shows that a heart must be ready; and how frequently such commitments are made due to pressure from man; rather than genuine conviction. The appeal in Acts to the Jews was that the one they had crucified was indeed the Christ ( Acts 2:23). Such response brings persecution as all who are giving a genuine convicting message of truth; this is opposed to today's easy believism without counting the cost which happens often.
Rev. 12:9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and the angels were cast out with him.
1 Cor. 2:14,15. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Acts 26:17. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Matthew 7:7. Seek, and ye shall find.
2 Peter 1:20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
There is only one City in the world that is built on seven mountains ( Rev. 17:9) and that is Rome: the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caeline and the Aventine.
Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).
I should clarify my understanding of Acts 26:22,23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
The phrase "unto the people, and unto the Gentiles" is, I believe, a phrase used here by God to encompasses all peoples of the World, Jew and Gentile alike, throughout time, to whom God would send the Gospel. Abel, Enoch, Noah, the Ninevites, the Queen of Sheba were not Jews. They were all "Gentiles" and not descendants of Abraham.
I admit to not having a good grasp of your "understanding" of how those living in OT times were "saved", and the "gospel" that was "preached to them". And in particular how God "applied" Salvation to each individual that He saved; from Abel to Enoch to Noah; and then to Abraham and those of Israel and Judah that He saved, all of whom were a tiny remnant of those living during the OT, as in the NT.
I see only one Gospel of Salvation throughout the Whole Bible. And only one process for "applying" that Salvation to ALL of God's elect throughout time. And that was by God's Mercy and God's Grace Alone. Where none of "their works" nor any "inherent faith" contributed in any way to their Salvation. Just like Salvation during the NT.
Now granted that Gospel was not as clearly articulated in the OT as in the NT as God continued to write the Bible throughout history. But Noah "was a preacher of righteousness"; and the Ceremonial Laws; and all the books of the OT, like Isaiah and Jeremiah contained the same Gospel of Judgment and Salvation by Christ's Atonement as is articulated in the NT.
We read this statement by the Apostle Paul in Acts 26:22-23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the PROPHETS and MOSES did say should come:That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people{OT}, and to the Gentiles{NT}.
So the Gospel of Hebrews 4 and Acts 26 and the Whole Bible is the Gospel of the REST of Salvation, God's WORK of Grace Alone apart from any work that man does. And the EFFICACY of that WORK, Christ's Atonement, applied throughout time.
And, I'm sorry to say, that is not the gospel that I see in your comments regarding OT Believers. I see a Works / Grace gospel and a process for applying Salvation to the life of the OT believer, not found anywhere in the Bible.
II. ABOUT THE RECIPIENT:
Luke is written specifically to Theophilus, but in general to all Gentiles. Theophilus means "lover of God," THEOS for God, PHILEO for love. It's either a name or title. It was a common name at the time. Many parents named their children Theophilus hoping their kids would love God. It was also used as a title and may have been used in order to hide his identity.
In Luke, he's not just called Theophilus, but "most excellent Theophilus" which means that he was either in the Roman military or Roman government, and he's getting the gospel about Jesus Christ. So, Theophilus could be a title or a code name for someone so that their real identity is not revealed.
His title "Most excellent" is one Greek word. It's found to be a title of an officer in the Roman military and also found as a title for an official in the Roman government. Both are called "most excellent" or "most honorable." The title is used three times in Acts. In Acts 23:26, we see "most excellent governor Felix."
These are all governors of Rome. Acts 24:3, "most noble Felix," and Acts 26:25 "most noble Festus," same word. They held these titles in the Roman military and in the Roman government. He was either a government official or in the military. Tradition says he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other.
Acts was written to Theophilus. Acts 1:1 says, the former treaties (that would be the gospel of Luke), the former treaties that I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, the book of Acts would be to the same person. And what he's saying is that Luke (the first Volume I gave you), was what Jesus began to do and teach. Now here's what He continues to do and teach, and that would be the book of Acts.
It's also interesting that Acts 1:1-11 is a summary statement of Luke Chapter 24. So, they overlap. He goes back and summarizes Luke 24 in Acts Chapter 1:1-11.
On part 1
Jesus knew what was going to happen and much of what He told the disciples was what was going to happen to them, to prepare them for what He just told them when the temple would be destroyed. Does part of this discourse apply to the future? Yes
Matt. 24:5-13 History and the Bible document that there were several men as false Messiahs, false prophets that deceived many and which convinced many and led them to revolt to liberate Jerusalem from Roman occupation. Josephus tells us that impostors drew great multitudes after them into the wilderness, and he mentions an Egyptian prophet. We see this in Acts 21:36-38.
We have Theudas in Acts 5:36 and Judas of Galilee in Acts 5:37-8 and Simon in Acts 8:9-11, and there was more. For us today many come in the name of Jesus saying, Jesus is Christ, but they deceive and make merchandise of people. We must not ignore the first thing He said after they asked Him "Take heed that no man deceive you."
There were many conflicts between the nations around Jerusalem and Rome was having wars that caused famine. Claudius invaded Britain in 46AD, there was a great famine in Syria. Rome took control over the temple along with the sacred treasury and there was a great famine in Jerusalem.
The Jews were having small scrimmages that led to the revolt in 66 AD. We see in the bible a famine was going on, in Acts 11:27-29 in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Where Paul was collecting things for those in Jerusalem because they were starving. There were earthquakes in Rome, Pergamum, Laodicea, and Judea in the 50s and 60s.
We see what the Jews did to Peter and John and the first they killed was Steven and then most of them. and what Paul says about what they did in all the synagogues Acts 26:10-11. But enduring to the end the same shall be saved does not mean their flesh life would be saved.
Will cover more, hope I am making sense.
God bless,
RLW
Romans 14:12, 1Peter 4, Jude 1, Zechariah 3, 1Chronicles 21:1, Job 1, Job 2, Matthew 4:10, Mark 1:13, Luke 4, Luke 22, John 13,
Mark 4:15, Luke 13:16, Acts 5, notice Acts 4:32-37, continued into Acts 5, - Acts 5:13, 1Corinthians 7:5, 2Corinthians 11:13,14, 2Thessalonians 2:9, John 7:24, Romans 14:13,
Acts 26:18, Romans 16:20, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20, Psalms 98:9,
James 1:5,
Hopefully these give you wisdom
Obviously; Christ redeemed us as His bride from among all mankind according to the Ephesians quote and this is mentioned in many other verses (Google search is always very helpful). As Boaz brought value to Ruth by marrying her and continuing the lineage of Naomi's family we are adopted as sons ( Romans 8:14-17). God took us; worthless sinners hopelessly lost and His enemies and took on our sin defeating it with His blood sacrifice once and for all at the Cross. He purchased us and it even pleased God to crush Him to accomplish this ( Isaiah 53:10). God's love therefore transcends our own as we would scarcely die for a righteous man let alone a wicked one (according to human standards) according to Romans 5:7.
Now that we are part of His family; we also will recieve crowns as a reward for faithfulness ( James 1:12 etc). We shall rule and reign with Him ( Matthew 19:28-29) but notice the caviat; "if we suffer for Him". We are warned in Revelation 3:11 about losing our reward; that is not a salvation issue. However; we need to make sure that we are producing fruit "meet of repentance" ( Acts 26:20). If He lives within us we are transformed and a new man.
Matthew 9:38; John 17:20,21; Acts 26:18; Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Acts 26:12-18
Although Paul was not married at the time he wrote his letters, he more than likely was married at one point. The bible does not mention a wife or what happened to her, whether she died or whatever the case might be, but we do know from Acts 26:10 that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin because only the Sanhedrin were allowed to vote for the death penalty against Christians, and Paul voted (he gave his voice against them). It was also a strict requirement that a man had to be married in order to be a member of the Sanhedrin. So Paul would have had to be married at one time.
And so many Catholics have become convinced that the Church quietly dropped her belief in Purgatory a few decades ago.
So why do so many people think that belief in Purgatory is no longer a doctrine of the Church? Part of the confusion arises because some Catholics conflate Purgatory and Limbo, a supposed place of natural bliss where the souls of children who die without having received Baptism go because they are unable to enter Heaven since Baptism is necessary for salvation. Limbo is a theological speculation, which has been called into question in recent years by no less a figure than Pope Benedict XVI; Purgatory, however, is doctrinal teaching.
The eternal punishment of sin can be removed through the Sacrament of Confession.But the temporal punishment for our sins remains even after we have been forgiven in Confession, which is why the priest gives us a penance to perform.
Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
I am not going to accuse or anything like that. Jesus sees us from birth to death. God lives outside of the TIME of earths clock. Come to Jesus. Agree with John 3 in the Bible. Receive Jesus into your heart. Live just for Jesus.
John 3:15-21, Matthew 25:31-46,
Psalms 130:4, Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7, Acts 26:18, Luke 7:47,48, Psalms 32:1, Acts 8:22, Psalms 85:2,
Ephesians 4:26,
Proverbs 11:3,
Psalms 119:16, Hebrews 2:18, James 1:12, 1Corinthians 10:13,
Hopefully these are helpful
But when Saul met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, he instantly learned that the Christians he was hunting down & killing were serving this Jesus Whom he was encountering at that very moment. Saul was a changed man & as he learned more from Jesus, with the Spirit filling him to believe & serve, he could say in Philippians 3:7-10, that all that he had learned & believed were now useless & filthy. The new knowledge gained directly from Jesus revealed his errors as a Pharisee - his trusting in the Law to make him righteous could never work, but now having only faith in Christ to save him, did.
I trust you can see how wonderfully the revelation of Christ to Saul changed him from a strict Pharisee (Saul) to one of a humble obedient servant of Jesus (Paul) trusting in Christ now & moved in his spirit to reach out to his countrymen & also to the Gentiles.
Other terms were also applied to these new 'sectarians', such as Nazarenes & those of The Way. Probably taken from the One they considered their Teacher/Rabbi, of his origin & proclamation ( Matthew 2:23; John 14:6).
And then we see that the word 'Christian' came more into vogue, as King Agrippa himself used the word ( Acts 26:28) & Peter referring to those who suffer as a Christian, as opposed to those suffering for any wrongdoing or even a false accusation, whether Christian or not ( 1 Peter 4:16).
Commentary
"I go bound in the spirit. Urged by a sense of duty, yet knowing from the premonitions of the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem."
Acts 21:12-14
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man [Paul] that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Verse 30: Paul is kicked out of Church and later beaten by the Jews.
Acts 21:22 Jesus sends Paul to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:17 Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
I've read that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin when persecution broke out against the early church, and one of the requirements for being in the Sanhedrin is that the person be married. GiGi, I also believe that either Paul's wife had either passed away or she divorced him because of his conversion. Whatever the case may be, we don't know. But he says I'm single, and I wished, not commanding, but I wished that everybody was as I myself.
Brothers Chris and David, you make some excellent points. Paul spoke about how a married man or married woman might be distracted because their focus would be on how they might please one another instead of on Christ. It seems as though this would be a natural thing for one who's married. So Paul may have experienced this both ways, being married, and then later on being single.
Paul says in Acts 26:10 "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison." He goes on to say that many of the saints that believed in Jesus of Nazareth, I shut them up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
And then it's interesting where he says that when they were put to death, "I gave my voice against them." This means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He voted for the death penalty against Christians. Only the Sanhedrin could cast a vote for the death penalty.
We know back in Acts Chapter 7, especially with Stephen, that Paul was there to oversee it. And what the witnesses would do, the witnesses had to do the stoning, but they would take their overcoats off and lay them at the feet of the man that is in charge of overseeing the execution, and so they laid them at the feet of a man named Saul.
And here he's telling them "I was active in shutting them up in prison having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I was voting, I gave my voice against them.
There are two King Agrippas seen in the Bible, both part of the Herod family, however, six Herods are revealed to us in the New Testament; the Herods were Idumeans/Edomites.
King Herod Agrippa I was a grandson of Herod the Great; he ruled over Judea and Samaria. Agrippa I is the "King Herod" who killed James and imprisoned Peter ( Acts 12:1-3).
The son of Agrippa I was King Herod Agrippa II, & was also known as Julius Marcus Agrippa; he was the brother of Bernice and Drusilla and heard Paul's defence of the gospel in Acts 26. Agrippa II had quite a lot of power in Jewish religious affairs, for he had been given custodianship of the temple and the authority to appoint the high priest. So, the Agrippa you read of in Acts chapter 26, is King Agrippa II. Hope that answers your question.
Then we get Saul coming out of nowhere & never numbered with the twelve apostles. We know the difficulty he had with that, in spite of him believing what the Lord Jesus Who appeared to him from Heaven, declared ( Acts 26:13-18, before King Agrippa). Even when the Corinthians began to doubt his apostleship, Paul had to declare that he was called by the Lord to this work ( 1 Corinthians 15:7-9, the least of the apostles & one born out of due time). And there are many other references where Paul had to prove his calling & apostleship. Yet, he was a chosen vessel having seen the risen Christ just as the other twelve did. So we get a clear idea of what the position of an apostle is. If we then attempt to bring that into the post-apostolic period, then the closest we can equate that to, is the Missionary, who does the work of the apostle, especially if he has had that heavenly vision.
In relation to prophets, this seems clearer. You know what the prophetical utterances & writings are, as seen in the Word. And you also know, the Book of the Revelation given to John with the stern warning in Revelation 22:18,19. In my understanding, what could a supposed prophet of God reveal to us that is more than what we find in the OT & NT till the final revelation? No one has yet declared a prophetical event in the future with any certainty. Many have tried & their prophecies have failed. And to overcome this problem of the end of the prophetical voice, some believe that a so-called prophet who brings any message, becomes a prophetical word. I think a preacher/teacher does that quite well.
To kick against the goads - is a Syriac proverb, expressing an attempt that brings nothing but pain.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 9:5
Acts 9:5 Who art thou, Lord? Sure that it was a supernatural communication, though he might possibly suspect its source, he did not yet know that it came from Christ. Perhaps at times he had had misgivings that he might be wrong, but he was sincere. I am Jesus. It is not said, "the Christ", but JESUS, the crucified one against whom Saul was raging. Had the answer been "the Christ", or the Son of God, Saul might still have doubted whether this was Jesus. [It is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Omitted here by the Revised Version, but found in Acts 26:14. The idea is that he is injuring himself, like the ox that kicks back on the goads used to urge him forward.
Acts 9:5
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads).
Acts 22:8
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Acts 26:15
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
Mishael: another thing is this= Jesus always says Follow Me. He says today is the day of salvation. He's here today!
No one else is coming. If you hear his call today, follow Him.
There is a Link on the red page, Become A Christian. It's a lot to read, but I think it will answer your question. Come back, if it doesn't, ok?