Additional Thoughts on Acts – Part 3
ACTS 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
The fact of creation is not only mentioned in the first chapters of Genesis. When Paul and Barnabas wanted to clarify that they serve the one true living God instead of any other god, they pointed to the fact of creation. They told these people to turn from vanities (serving false gods) to the God who created all things.
The only God worth serving is the one and only Living God. He is all knowing and all powerful. He made the heaven and the earth, the sea and all things that are therein. Since God is the only one that has always existed, then everything else was created. God not only created the earth, but He created all the physical laws that govern the earth. All the laws that govern light, gravity, motion, etc. were created. All the complex and fascinating things of nature were all created. The super complex system of DNA was created. The evidence of intelligence is everywhere in nature, from the design of animals to the complexity of atoms, God’s creating hand can be seen. All the planets and all the stars and suns in this vast universe were all created by God. Humans were created as humans and since angels did not always exist they were also created beings. The size, scope, and complexity of God’s creation is too immense to fully comprehend.
Our God is identified as the God of creation. Creation testifies of our God’s attribute of being all knowing and His attribute of being all powerful. This has ramifications. If He is all powerful, then He is powerful enough to save your soul and keep your soul. If He is all knowing, then He not only knows all about your every problem, but He knows exactly what is best for every problem. It is reassuring to realize that we serve an all knowing and all powerful God.
ACTS 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
ACTS 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Getting people saved is the main thing. But it is not the only thing. Paul had been to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch before preaching the gospel and many believed. Paul was then ran out of town. But after they had received Jesus Paul did not forget about them. He was NOT insensitive to their needs. We still carry the old flesh nature with us after we are saved and so people need to be exhorted to continue in the faith. They need to understand that getting saved does not make this world heaven. Hard things do happen to the brethren. In fact it says, “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Two keywords to notice in that statement: must and much. God has many reasons for it to be this way. We must, that is not an option. It is not a maybe. Some tribulation in this life is a must. It is going to happen. Some Christians get more than others but we all get some. Your tribulations will be different than mine. God deals with us as individuals. But we will all have trials. Christians need to understand this. This modern false teaching that you get saved and God will make your life a bed of roses is a lie straight from hell. Christians don’t need to be lied to; they need to be told the truth. “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” They need to know that tribulation does not mean that there is something wrong with your faith. Not at all. Christians need to know that it is normal, that it is necessary, and they need to be taught so they can be prepared for it. That way they can honor the Lord thru the tribulation.
Here we see Paul following up on new converts and telling them the truth, preparing them so they can stand strong for the Lord. Paul was preaching what would be considered today an unpopular message, but it was what the people needed. What a wonderful example for preachers today.
In the book of Acts we see a model for how we are to carry out the Great Commission. We have seen that God’s plan involved preaching and teaching.
And now we see that false teachers were already creeping in.
ACTS 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
The New Testament had not even been finished yet and we have false teachers. They were teaching the lie of salvation by works. Anything that you must do to get saved is works. You cannot add anything to grace and it still be grace. Salvation is grace plus nothing.
Here the false teachers were adding circumcision. Their kind is all around us today. Some will add church membership. Some false teachers will add baptism. Some will add sacraments, or church on Saturday, and on and on the list goes.
In verse two some men of God would not remain silent about it.
ACTS 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
It says that they had NO SMALL dissension and disputation with them. That is a way of saying they had a BIG dissension and disputation with them. It is Biblical to call false teaching what it is. The Catholic teaching on salvation is works based and it is false.
To be Biblical we should have NO SMALL dissension and disputation with them. We should not be getting together and worshipping with them. This is just one of the problems with groups like promise keepers.
The Catholic teaching is sending millions of people straight to hell. We need to be more like Paul and Barnabas and stand up against false teaching.
ACTS 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
ACTS 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Some were claiming that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses was required for salvation. Peter rose up during a meeting to settle this dispute on salvation. Peter basically says it is a heart matter and not a works matter. He says that God knoweth the hearts. He brings up the fact that even though they are not circumcised that God has still given them the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are given the Holy Spirit at salvation. So for them to have the Holy Spirit means that they are saved.
Rom 8:9 …Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The logic here is clear. If they have the Holy Spirit, and you get that at salvation, then they are saved. Since they are saved and yet not circumcised, then being circumcised is not required for salvation. Once again it is clearly shown in God’s word that salvation is by faith and not by works. And this goes for everyone.
ACTS 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Salvation is thru faith. It is a heart matter and not a works matter.
ACTS 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
ACTS 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTS 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
“Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The dedication, the determination, the love for the Lord that some men have is amazing. These men had a real heart for the Lord and a love and a burden for the lost. They put God’s will and reaching souls above their own safety. They went no matter the danger. They went no matter the inconvenience or the difficulty. If you are not touched by their effort, dedication, and love, then you need to have your heart checked. Men started living for Christ this way as soon as He rose from the dead and some men have been doing it ever since. Their number may be few, but their kind have not left us entirely. Some of them are called missionaries. Their service is a shining example for us. I hope that you are involved in supporting men like this today.
ACTS 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Here is another place where we see the Holy Ghost acting as a person and not as a force (as some false teachers teach). The Holy Ghost was giving a command to these men not to go to Asia.
ACTS 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
After being told not to go to Asia, they try to go into Bithynia. The Holy Spirit again told them no.
ACTS 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
After being told no twice they did not quit and head home. They kept going as they waited for direction from God.
ACTS 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
God in His time gave them direction.
ACTS 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
I love how they reacted to the direction of God. Immediately they endeavoured to go.
Understand that God DID NOT tell them no to Asia and Bithynia because He did not want the gospel preached there. That is not the case. God wants the gospel preached in all nations. It just was not His will for these men.
God does call men and He does match them up with the people and the ministry that He wants them to do.
This happened to me once. I tried to start a van route. I thought that it was a good idea and it was biblical. As I went out and started knocking doors, I never had peace about it. And I noticed something odd. I never saw one child. I did almost 1,000 flyers and not only had zero interest from parents but I never saw any children.
I finally listened to the no I was getting. Then another man was led to do it and he went out to the same area and saw kids everywhere he looked. He filled the van in short order.
You see it was not that God did not want the van filled. He just did not want me to do it. He had other work for me to do. That is what we see happening here in this chapter.
Another example of this would be Billy Sunday and David Livingstone. Each was greatly used of God. But David Livingstone could have never successfully have thrown a chair across the platform and preach the sawdust trail like Billy Sunday. And Billy Sunday could have never opened up Africa to the gospel. Each man was uniquely fitted by God for a specific work.
A Preacher must be himself and preach the way God would have him preach. He should never try to preach like some other successful preacher. And he should never enter a ministry just because it sounds like a good idea or because someone else is doing it.
We need to be more responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We need to realize that He leads different men into different areas of ministry. If God is not leading you into a ministry, then don’t enter it. However, if God is leading you, then get going and get busy.
ACTS 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
ACTS 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Paul is sent to preach to Lydia. The Lord opens her heart and she attended to what Paul preached, which was the gospel. She was baptized and then opened up her house for fellowship. She was quite insistent upon it because it says she constrained them. She wanted to be taught more. She wanted to hear more of the Word of God. And she wanted to be with other Christians. This should be the desire of all new Christians. They basically started a local assembly, a local church in her house. Shortly after this, Paul and Silas got beaten and thrown in prison.
ACTS 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
When they get out of prison they go to Lydia’s house and see the brethren. That’s plural. Lydia house was still being used as a meeting place for the children of God. Paul and Silas see them and comfort them before they leave town.
We all need to belong to a local assembled group of believers. The local church provides a place to hear the Word of God and learn more about our Saviour. The local church fills the need that we have to fellowship with other believers. We need the encouragement, the fellowship, the admonition, the help, the support, and the comfort that we get from other believers.
Lydia is a great example to follow. She was a new born Christian who immediately after getting saved joined herself to a local body of believers. If you are recently saved, then you need to do likewise. If you have been saved and are not joined to a local church, then you need to get that corrected. We are not made to be an island unto ourselves. We need to have the fellowship and support of other believers. We also need a place that we can serve our Lord and the local church is the only organization that He created for that purpose. And it is biblical that a church can be a house church. It is not about the building; it is about the people.
ACTS 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
ACTS 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Thrown into prison and they sing praises unto God. What a great example! Now to fully grasp this, you need to get the vision of America’s prisons out of your mind. The prisons of America are like a 5 star hotel in comparison. Our prisons have electricity, running water, a library, rec rooms, exercise equipment, regular clean food, and even many forms of entertainment. The prisons of Paul and Silas’ day were much different. They were dark dungeons. No comforts at all. Instead of letting prisoners walk in the sunshine of the courtyard their feet were put into the stocks. That is something that becomes painful in short order. What they had to look forward to was poor treatment and very poor food. And yet they sing praises unto God. And notice they sang loud. It says that the prisoners heard them.
God does provide grace in times of trial. This is a great example of how the peace and joy that comes from God is NOT dependent upon circumstances. Whatever trial you are going thru God can provide you peace of soul and joy of heart thru it. Understand that He has the power and then you have to want Him to give you His grace, and then pray and ask Him to help you. You can find yourself singing praises to God while you are going thru great tribulation.
ACTS 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Paul saw the city wholly given to idolatry and it stirred his spirit. Obviously Paul was stirred because of their sin. He wanted them to get saved so he preached to them Jesus. He wanted to see them break free from their bondage to idolatry.
Idolatry can be many things. We will only look at one today. If you take a created thing like a statue and assign to it powers that belong to God alone, that is idolatry.
The same is true for people. If you take a person who God created and assign to that person powers that belong to God alone, that is also idolatry.
For example, if you take a person and assign to them the ability to hear the prayers of 500 million people all at the same time that is idolatry because that is an ability that belongs to God alone. This is exactly what the Catholics do with Mary. They teach that you are to pray to Mary. For her to hear all those prayers she would have to have an attribute of God.
Assigning the attribute of God to hear everyone at once to Mary is idolatry. Praying to Mary is idolatry. She is not God. The Bible says she was blessed among women. The Bible DOES NOT SAY that she was blessed above women.
This should stir your heart to see the Catholics given to idolatry and like Paul it should stir you to preach to them Jesus.
ACTS 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
ACTS 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Paul and Silas had to get out of town once again. Religious leaders were against the gospel of Christ and stirred up trouble once again. Paul then travels by night to Berea and went into the synagogue of the Jews. Paul preached the same truths as in the last town. Then we have this statement. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica”
What was it about these people in Berea that made them more noble than those in Thessalonica? The verse goes on to tell us why. They were more noble because they received the word with all readiness of mind. It is a noble thing to be willing to be taught the Word of God. It is noble to be teachable. They were also more noble because they, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They checked out what they were being taught but not with their opinions. They checked with the scriptures. They considered the scriptures to be the final authority and they were going to believe it if the scriptures said so.
In this verse we see that it is a noble thing to believe in the authority of the scriptures. Another thing that made them more noble is that they searched the scriptures daily. They did not lightly read the scriptures they searched the scriptures. They did not read the scriptures one or two days a week. They searched them daily. It is a noble thing to read and study the scriptures.
They were more noble because they were teachable, they checked out what they were being taught, they checked it with the scriptures, they believed in the authority of the scriptures, they searched the scriptures and they did it daily. They honestly sought the truth from the Word of God with a teachable spirit. The result was that many of them believed in Jesus.
ACTS 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
An honest search of the scriptures will lead to faith in Jesus. And remember at this time the New Testament was not yet written. They were searching the Old Testament. The volume of the book is written about Jesus.
ACTS 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Think about that for just a minute. Three sabbath days is three weeks. Paul just kept going back. And many of them did not want to hear what Paul had to say. But Paul’s love for lost souls overcame any dislike he had of getting hard looks and nasty comments.
ACTS 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Paul once again went right to the heart of the matter and he preached Christ. He used the Old Testament prophecies of Christ. We know that because in verse 1 it tells us that he used the scriptures and since the New Testament had not been written yet we know Paul was using the Old Testament. The Old Testament has a lot to say about the coming Christ. Paul used those to show that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead. Isaiah 53 is just one example. Then Paul showed from the life of Christ how Jesus is the one that scripture said would come. When confronted with such conclusive evidence the people had two choices.
ACTS 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Some of the Jews believed and a great multitude of devout Greeks. Devout Greeks were gentiles who feared God. And quite a few of the chief women also believed. All these people realized the truth of scripture. They understood that they were sinners in need of a Saviour and that Jesus was the promised Saviour that they had been looking for. This group made the right choice. They responded to the preaching of the word of God.
ACTS 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
There was also a large group who heard Paul who did not believe. Instead of being convicted of sin and turning to Jesus they were lifted up in pride and where moved with envy. Instead of repenting of sin, they embraced sin. They actively lashed out in wickedness. We see them attacking the messengers. With this confrontation we see their true hearts being revealed.
Those who will not recognize their sin and deal with it the only way you can will often get caught up in nasty sins. Sins of pride and envy for example like we see in this Chapter.
How about you? Have you recognized your sin and called upon Jesus? Have you put your sin under the shed blood of Christ? It is the only covering for your sin. Or are you lifted up in some religious pride where you think that belief in Jesus is not enough?
There is no middle ground. All religious beliefs fall into two categories. Grace or Works. And Jesus plus anything is in the Works category.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
ACTS 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Paul preached to them Jesus. (More preaching in the book of acts). They rejected Paul. But Paul did not quit.
ACTS 18:7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
Joined hard to the synagogue means that they were attached. A duplex would be a good example. Paul was rejected so he just went next door. Verse 11 tells us that Paul stayed there a year and six months. Paul preached next door to the people who rejected him for a long time.
Use your imagination just for a moment. Can you imagine the looks and the nasty things that were said from the people next door? Every time Paul went in and out of that building to preach he endured the hostility. His love for the people that were listening and his love for God was greater than the persecution.
ACTS 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Paul’s boldness and his faithfulness to witness under hostile conditions made a difference. In verse 8 we see that many of the Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized.
We all need to ask ourselves from time to time: How bold is our witness for Christ?
ACTS 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
ACTS 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
ACTS 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Paul was not afraid of work. And when the situation demanded it he worked a job as well as preached. Paul met Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers by trade. Paul stayed with them and worked with them making tents (vs. 3). At the same time Paul was preaching. He was reasoning and persuading the Jews and the Greeks. Having a full time job is no excuse for not doing the work of God. I commend the men who go out and start churches and work a full time job at the same time to support their family. What they are doing is what Paul did. There are many pastors of small churches that have to do the same thing. These men understand that God loves the little church of 12 in a small town just as much as He does the big city church. Being a preacher does not in any way guarantee that you do not have to also work a job. A Pastor can get a lot more done if he can spend all his time in the work of the Lord. And his church should understand that and they should pay him if they are a big enough group. But when that is not possible, it is no excuse for the man of God to quit. A man should go wherever God calls him to go no matter how small the town.
And men who do work a full time job and pastor should be an inspiration to all of us. Their love for the Lord is an example for us to give our energies to the work of the Lord even after we have had a full hard week on the job.
ACTS 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Here we see the normal progression; the normal result of getting saved. After they believed is says they came. Assembling with other believers is what new Christians should do. Then they confessed their salvation openly in public. The Bible says that whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. You find someone who is ashamed to be a Christian and you have very good grounds to believe that they are not a Christian. And then they shewed their deeds. They already had fruit in their life. The change could already be seen. Salvation makes you a new creature. That means that you should be different after you get saved. Your values change, what you think of as important changes. Look at what these new Christians did.
ACTS 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
They brought their books of wickedness, in this case witchcraft and burned them. And they did it before all men. They were not doing this in a corner. It was a public declaration of a truly changed life. What they valued before had no value to them now. In fact it was repulsive. They would not sell these wicked books to someone else. They did not want to be a part of corrupting someone else. Instead they destroyed them. The books were worth 50,000 pieces of silver. Money did not matter when it came to following God. This kind of devotion; this kind of change in their lives made an impact.
ACTS 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
These new Christians were changed people. It showed in their lives. People could see how their priorities have changed. What they valued was different. These were sold out Christians. They did not just talk the talk; they walked the walk. People saw that their Christianity was for real. The result was that the word of God grew mightily and the word of God prevailed. Many more people came to know the Lord.
The way Christians live makes a difference. People still need to hear the gospel to get saved. However, it helps for them to see a real life example of a changed life. It helps them to see the reality of the saving power of Jesus.
ACTS 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
ACTS 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
I want to quickly point out a few things today from these two verses.
- They were gathered together to break bread (the Lord’s Supper). The Lord’s Supper is to be done when believers are assembled. It is not to be done alone in a hospital.
- They were gathered together on the first day of the week. The first day of the week is Sunday. Worship changed from Saturday to Sunday! The reason is that Christ rose from the dead on Sunday. The Sabbath represents the law. We do not worship the law we worship Christ. We celebrate His resurrection every single Sunday. That is why you are to go to church on Sunday.
- In verse 7 we see that they were also gathered for preaching! and not a side show. We live in the day of itching ears and the un biblical side shows of TV “Christianity” So I have to keep bringing it up from time to time. They gathered for real preaching.
ACTS 20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
To exhort is to use words or arguments to incite to good deeds. It is to give advice and counsel to do that which is good or commendable. Paul preached the gospel to the lost, but that is not all he preached. He exhorted those that were saved to do something for Christ. Paul was not an advocate of pew sitters. He encouraged the saved to get busy for the Lord. And it was not mentioned as a passing remark. The Bible says that he, “had given them much exhortation”. I am of the opinion that when it says that Paul gave much exhortation that it was quite a bit of exhortation. He really put an emphasis on it. He made a big deal about it. Why? Because it is a big deal. There are a multitude of lost people all around us that are going to hell. There are Christians who are hurting and need our love and support. There are people that will observe and be affected by a good testimony of a sold out servant of Christ. Our being involved in the work of the Lord is extremely important. So find something to do. Make a difference in this life and in eternity.
And exhort someone else that you know to also do more for Christ. We all need to be encouraged to do more for Christ for we all can and should be doing more for Christ.
ACTS 20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
One of the great things about Paul is that he was consistent in his ministry. He was not all gun ho one day and then down in the dumps the next. He did not work hard in the ministry when things were going good and then quit when the going got tough. His service was the same in all seasons. His service was consistent and his service was done with the right attitude.
ACTS 20:19 Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
He also served with great heart. It says he served with many tears. Many tears. Paul let his heart affect him. He let himself get personally attached. He deeply cared for those he ministered to. I can imagine Paul preaching and pleading for the people to respond to the Word and will of God will tears pouring down his face. He kept back nothing not even his tears.
ACTS 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
Paul never taught anything that could not hold up to the light of day. What he taught, he taught publicly as well as from house to house. And he taught the whole counsel of God. He did not hold back anything that was profitable to them. He taught them what they liked to hear and the parts that they did not like to hear. He taught them all of it because they needed all of it. Love truly wants what is best for the one loved. And knowing all of the word of God is what is best for Christians.
ACTS 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And one of the main things that Paul taught over and over and over again was how to be saved. He told everyone. He told the Jews and he told the Greeks. Salvation comes from repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is a true change of mind; the kind that results in a change of direction. It is a turning from sin and a turning to God. You get saved by believing in Jesus with a repentant heart.
I hope that you are saved and know without a shadow of a doubt that heaven will be your home. If not, you can take care of that right now.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul was told twice not to go to Jerusalem. Once in verse 4 and once in verse 11.
ACTS 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Verse 4 makes it clear that it was the Holy Spirit that was telling Paul not to go.
Paul refused to listen so in verse 11 God sends a prophet to tell him again what will happen if he goes to Jerusalem. Here is displayed the grace of God trying to keep Paul from going the wrong way.
Paul still refuses to listen and goes anyway. Even men of God can get stubborn and fail to listen. We are all sinners saved by grace and we all can and do make mistakes. Paul is making one here.
You go ahead and mark it down. Nothing good comes from disobeying God. No sooner is Paul out of the will of God by going to Jerusalem that we find him engaging in a ritual that Paul had no business being involved in.
The veil of the Temple had been rent and the age of grace ushered in. They were to worship in Spirit and in truth and no longer in rituals. What the rituals pointed to (which is Jesus) has been fulfilled. So the rituals are no longer needed. We now have the substance so the shadow is no longer needed.
They asked Paul to go to the Temple and be involved in a ritual to show that Paul was for the law and kept the law. Paul should have been preaching Jesus and salvation by grace, but we find him in the temple to show his support for rituals and the law.
We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Not in rituals.
We are to tell people who are trusting in rituals and works that they are wrong. We are to tell them how to be saved. We are not to go worship with them like Paul is doing here. When you worship with them you are saying with your actions that what they believe in and are doing is right.
Instead of bringing conviction to their hearts so they might forsake the lie that they are trusting in and be saved, worshiping with them gives them even more confidence that what they are doing is right. Worshiping with people, who are trusting in works to save them, is only helping them go to hell.
Christians need to take a stand against false work based religious systems, and any group or movement that accepts and supports those false work based systems.
ACTS 21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
ACTS 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
While Paul was traveling the ship he was on had to make port to unload her cargo. Paul then went and found other Disciples of Christ. Paul did not just sit around and waste a couple of days while he was waiting for the ship to set sail again. He sought out the company of other believers.
ACTS 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
The believers in this town were glad to see Paul. And when it came time for him to leave they went to see him off. They knelt down with Paul on the shore and prayed with him before he left.
I have often sought out other believers to worship with when I am traveling or on vacation. It is a blessing to find others in a strange town that believe as you do. It is good to see other believers that have a heart for God. It is reassuring to know that we are not in the battle alone. Even though you have never met before, you have the same Spirit living within you. The same God that loves you and has a relationship with you loves them and has a relationship with them.
Many people will not seek out other believers when they are traveling. Some people get nervous about going to a different church in a strange town. It should be a joy to meet and worship with other believers.
Of course I am talking about meeting with and worshiping with people of like faith. People who believe in salvation by grace and grace alone. I would never advocate sitting down to worship with people who teach that works save.