Therefore if God 30 gave them the same gift 31 as he also gave us after believing 32 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 33 who was I to hinder 34 God?” 11:18 When they heard this, 35 they ceased their objections 36 and praised 37 God, saying, “So then, God has granted the repentance 38 that leads to life even to the Gentiles.” 39
Isn't it great !!! God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after we believed. The gift of Jesus Chirst. The point Peter made is not whether or not the Gentiles believed, since both groups (“us” and “they”) had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The point was whether or not the Gentiles RECEIVED the Spirit when they believed, just as Jewish Christians had received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost when they believed. The internal Gift of Jesus Christ.
This leads us back again to the "professors" verses the "possessors". Did they just say they new Jesus, or did they ask HIM into their hearts and possess Him.
When 59 he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true 60 to the Lord with devoted hearts, 61 11:24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people 62 were brought to the Lord
This is our call to faithrullness, to remain true to our Lord Jesus Christ. To remain true with a DEVOTED heart. What exactly is a devoted heart ? Is it one that just goes to church on Sundays and then lives life in the world every day again and only remembers Christ on Sunday ??? NO !!! A devoted heart is one that turns every thought to Christ. To show him how much we love him by renewing our minds daily, by relying on him for our circumstances and problems, to fully Love him the way HE loves us.
So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, 82 decided 83 to send relief 84 to the brothers living in Judea. 11:30 They did so, 85 sending their financial aid 86 to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
the financial relief is the ONENESS of the church, reaching out and helping others, in the financial disasters ( economy, natural disasters, famines, etc.) Jerusalem having ministered to them received the ministry back. I know our church is a LIVING example of this !!! Praise God that we give, to our community, our church, our missionaries, etc. But notice it said each one to their financial ability. This hit hard with me. I always give out even when I don't always have it for me. God doesn't want us to do that, God wants us to help in other ways as well. You can give time, you can give words of encouragement, you can give clothing, or if you financially can do it, then help where you can.
This church has blessed me in more ways than one. Thank you everyone for helping where you can. Thank you choir, music staff, drama team, pastors, teachers, secretaries, greeters !!! What you give out, has richly blessed our church, your time, your words of compassion, encouragement, knowledge... I know that it's not just me who has spiritually grown, but many others. Thank you for being God's blessings to us !!! Thank you Lord for growing our church and fully blossuming it before our eyes !!
Verses 19-21, "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."
In the last chapter, Peter went to a group of people he was not historically allowed to speak with or even enter their home. However, Peter was faithful to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and shared the story of Jesus with Cornelius and many others in his home. This set off a domino affect that spreads throughout the entire region. Followers of Jesus now have the confidence of spreading their faith in Jesus to others who do not know Him. Lives are being changed. It began with one man saying yes to God.
I wonder what would happen if every time the Holy Spirit prompted me to act or to speak I was obedient. And I wonder what would happen if the Holy Spirit was silent that I was silent and still. What a difference that would be in my life. And if Acts 11 is any indicator, my obedience would have broader implications. Now that's something to think about.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
"So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for this since almost all of our ancestries are the Gentiles. Thank you God.
Therefore if God 30 gave them the same gift 31 as he also gave us after believing 32 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 33 who was I to hinder 34 God?” 11:18 When they heard this, 35 they ceased their objections 36 and praised 37 God, saying, “So then, God has granted the repentance 38 that leads to life even to the Gentiles.” 39
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great !!! God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after we believed. The gift of Jesus Chirst. The point Peter made is not whether or not the Gentiles believed, since both groups (“us” and “they”) had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The point was whether or not the Gentiles RECEIVED the Spirit when they believed, just as Jewish Christians had received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost when they believed. The internal Gift of Jesus Christ.
This leads us back again to the "professors" verses the "possessors". Did they just say they new Jesus, or did they ask HIM into their hearts and possess Him.
When 59 he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true 60 to the Lord with devoted hearts, 61 11:24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people 62 were brought to the Lord
This is our call to faithrullness, to remain true to our Lord Jesus Christ. To remain true with a DEVOTED heart. What exactly is a devoted heart ? Is it one that just goes to church on Sundays and then lives life in the world every day again and only remembers Christ on Sunday ??? NO !!! A devoted heart is one that turns every thought to Christ. To show him how much we love him by renewing our minds daily, by relying on him for our circumstances and problems, to fully Love him the way HE loves us.
So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, 82 decided 83 to send relief 84 to the brothers living in Judea. 11:30 They did so, 85 sending their financial aid 86 to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
the financial relief is the ONENESS of the church, reaching out and helping others, in the financial disasters ( economy, natural disasters, famines, etc.) Jerusalem having ministered to them received the ministry back. I know our church is a LIVING example of this !!! Praise God that we give, to our community, our church, our missionaries, etc.
But notice it said each one to their financial ability. This hit hard with me. I always give out even when I don't always have it for me. God doesn't want us to do that, God wants us to help in other ways as well. You can give time, you can give words of encouragement, you can give clothing, or if you financially can do it, then help where you can.
This church has blessed me in more ways than one. Thank you everyone for helping where you can. Thank you choir, music staff, drama team, pastors, teachers, secretaries, greeters !!! What you give out, has richly blessed our church, your time, your words of compassion, encouragement, knowledge... I know that it's not just me who has spiritually grown, but many others. Thank you for being God's blessings to us !!! Thank you Lord for growing our church and fully blossuming it before our eyes !!
Verses 19-21, "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."
ReplyDeleteIn the last chapter, Peter went to a group of people he was not historically allowed to speak with or even enter their home. However, Peter was faithful to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and shared the story of Jesus with Cornelius and many others in his home. This set off a domino affect that spreads throughout the entire region. Followers of Jesus now have the confidence of spreading their faith in Jesus to others who do not know Him. Lives are being changed. It began with one man saying yes to God.
I wonder what would happen if every time the Holy Spirit prompted me to act or to speak I was obedient. And I wonder what would happen if the Holy Spirit was silent that I was silent and still. What a difference that would be in my life. And if Acts 11 is any indicator, my obedience would have broader implications. Now that's something to think about.