Category: Gospel

An examination of Paul’s wonderful sermon preaching on Mars Hill in Acts 17.

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A discussion of Lydia’s conversion to Christ, and her acts of hospitality, recorded in Acts 16:11-15.

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Paul had in verse 4 admitted that he did not speak with human wisdom. This is one reason the efforts of Christians are disregarded by many in the world. The preaching of the gospel flies in the face of that for which the world stands.

However, Paul did have wisdom. “We speak wisdom among those who are mature” (6). This wisdom came from God rather than men. What Paul had to offer in his preaching was had been a mystery throughout the history of man, but had finally been revealed in the efforts of those days. When the “fulness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4).

“Rulers of this age” seems here to refer to the actual Roman and Jewish leaders who had crucified Jesus. “For had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (8).

The gospel of Jesus Christ, first proclaimed by Him, and then attested to by Paul and the other apostles and prophets (cf. Hebrews 2:3) is God’s wisdom offered to man.  May we all believe!

A discussion of Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, recorded in Acts 13.

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A Discussion of the last verses of Luke 24, and the first 2 chapters of Acts. Texts written by Luke.

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In his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul spoke of the failure of Israel to repent at the appearance of the Christ. Even so, under that New Covenant, God promised salvation to a remnant. Paul wrote, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).

Later in the chapter, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles. The salvation of the Gentiles was a primary concern of Paul. It was a component of his mission, given by the Lord at his conversion. The preacher Ananias was sent to Paul by the Lord, who told Ananias, “Go, for her is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Continue reading “The Grafted Branches” →

Peter here calls for love of your brethren in Christ. Not just any love — love that is sincere (unhypocritical) and pure (singular, without any corrupting influence).

The reason Peter gives for this love is a response to our redemption through Jesus Christ. Being “born again.” Here though, he emphasizes the gospel of Jesus Christ, a gospel that he describes as “the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

This word is the incorruptible (imperishable) seed that brings about conversion. Paul agrees with this assessment saying in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Put in a nutshell: God has delivered for us the perfect vehicle to save us. The death, burial and resurrection His only begotten Son! As this is proclaimed, it brings faith to men, and salvation. As we receive this great gift, our response must be love for one another!

A discussion of Matthew 24:42-51, discussing Christ’s reference to the second coming.  Application is made, noting the urgency of our preparation (for various reasons) for that coming.

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A discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, as noted by Hebrews 6:1-3.  God both warns of the danger of apostasy, and expresses the joy of full growth as a child of God.

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Paul here (and in chapter 3) seeks to downplay his personal abilities and proclamations, instead showing the Corinthians that the true power for salvation was in God’s word.  He said in 3:7 that he was not “anything.” He stated in Romans 1:16 that the power of God to salvation was in the message of the gospel, not in the messenger.

So, here in chapter two he affirmed it wasn’t in his abilities of wisdom that salvation came. Only that in weakness, fear and much trembling he preached only Christ and Him crucified.

This demonstrates and important truth that Paul emphasized in all of his epistles. The power that brings redemption does not come from men, but from God. Not in human wisdom, but “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

His conclusion here is an important one. We should not consider any success we have in Christ to be because of us!  It is because of the power of God!

The text of Ephesians 3 references the “fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ” (9). While it was hidden through the ages, it was finally revealed as first came John, then Jesus Himself, and then the ambassadors that Jesus sent into the world, inspired by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 15:13-15).

Those who lived faithfully toward God, but lived and died before Jesus, “did not receive the promise” apart from us (Hebrews 11). Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 3:15-16, “But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord the veil is taken away.”

Peter referred to the prophets who sought to know this mystery, but Peter made clear that the prophets were ministering to those of us who live in these last days, when the gospel of Christ would be preached, “things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).

So in the revealing of that mystery, we return back to our initial text in Ephesians 3. It has now been revealed “by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (5). This revealed mystery is encapsulated in the promise that all men, both Jews and Gentiles, “should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (7).

The text of Acts reveals the preaching of Jesus’ completed gospel, with power, for the first time. It was accompanied with power from the Holy Spirit.  One sign given as seen in our text is the gift of tongues or languages.  The apostles were able to speak to the audience “each in our own language in which we were born” (8) through the power of God.

Some mocked in response, “They are full of new wine” (13). This contention was obviously false.  Getting drunk does not make one a polyglot. Setting aside Peter’s objection that it was still early in the day, what they claimed simply was not possible.

The other response was perplexity and amazement (12), as God’s intended.  The fact that on that day 3,000 became obedient to that gospel (41) with growth continuing in the days and weeks to come indicates clearly both the power of God, and the significance of Pentecost. It was the establishment of Jesus’ church, as God has in these “last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. His conviction made him always to be willing to proclaim boldly God’s message. His example is one we seek to emulate (2 Timothy 1:8-12).

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There are a number of occasions where the apostle Paul used the metaphor of a door to refer to an opportunity. For example, when Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the church in Antioch, Luke records, “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul himself wrote to the Corinthian church, saying in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He wrote again in  2 Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed to Macedonia.” Continue reading “An Open Door” →

In 1 Corinthians 4:13, the apostle Paul referred to the constant criticism of the apostles, and their response.  “Being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.”

The Greek word translated entreat in the passage is parakaleo?.  It is define as a strong invitation or invocation, and is also translated beseech in various places in scripture.  Literally, “to call near”. It is a word of passion, that can rightly bring the image of begging.  Notice the use of the term in Romans 12:1-2:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Continue reading “The Passion of Gospel Preaching” →