COGIC ADULTS MENS SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOK October 12, 2025 Acts 9: 19-31 KJV
West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
My COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV I. I Worship God that is Salvation, God that is always there for me in justification of my life I live. I Worship God that makes you rise up and walk , sets free from sin. 19b My Interpetation I Worship Jesus Christ is.God the Father, Son of God only. I Worship God that gives me eyes to see. I Worship Gof that wants us to be married. I Worship God that wants to speak him as truth only. VV 26-31 I Worship the Word of God with power and conviction. I Worship God of grace and love does not discriminate.
The Acts transition (why overlap doesn't equal identity):
Acts 1-7: Kingdom offer to Israel from Jerusalem; temple presence, signs and wonders, water baptism, and the call to national repentance in view ( Acts 2-3). Peter locates it in prophecy ("since the world began," Acts 3:21).
Acts 9: Christ saves and commissions Paul uniquely ( Acts 9:15), previewing a Gentile-oriented mission with a heavenly message.
Acts 10-11: Cornelius event authenticates that Gentiles can be blessed without full proselyte conformity. It is a sign to Israel ( Acts 11:17-18), not a merger of commissions.
Acts 13-28: Paul's mission expands; Israel's leadership resists; finally Acts 28:28 declares that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles "and they will hear it."
Historical unfolding means we observe temporary overlap in practices, settings, and personnel-but the revelatory center of gravity shifts to Paul. That shift unveils the BoC ("one new man," Eph 2:15-16) formed by Spirit baptism ( 1 Cor 12:13) with a heavenly calling ( Phil 3:20). Overlap in history, therefore, is not proof of identical identity; it records God's orderly transition of administrations.
Thank you for your response Bennymkje. This question from your comment seems to reflect how you understood mine to Lbooth1955, "We walk by faith which entails work, don't you think?"
You may have misunderstood my comments, believing that I was denouncing works as the proper response to a genuine faith. Not at all, works that follow such a God-given faith must exist, or else it is no faith at all (and James deals with this quite well). So, it is not a work that results from faith that I refer to, but a work that must accompany faith to make our salvation real & effective.
The point I tried to make earlier, was that water baptism that accompanies repentance, belief, and faith, is a true baptism and not a work for it is part & parcel of one's testimony of a new life identified and received in Christ. And this is what I read in the Word by the many examples given ( Acts 2:38,41; Acts 8:12,13; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 9:17,18; Acts 10:21,44-48; Acts 16:14,15; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 18:8). All these folk were baptized immediately, or very soon after repenting and believing. Baptism here was not a 'work' added to salvation, but a very real part of one's witness before man & within oneself. In those days (as in some countries now), many would have suffered great loss or ostracization for turning to Christ, so baptism at that early stage was truly a bold declaration of love for the Savior & turning away from religion (& family) as a very real part of conversion.
Anything we do that adds to our salvation (even water baptism, if we deem it necessary to make our salvation real), is a work. And if that work, whether baptism, doing good deeds for others, attending to Jewish Law, etc., ensures our salvation, then our salvation is no longer of faith, but of works. For the salvation of God through His Son to be effective in our lives, it must be devoid of anything that attaches to that God-given faith; for that faith does save when it remains pure, free from all associations.
It seems that there are some who are having difficulty in understanding and or believing Paul's unique position regarding this present dispensation. Listed below are 4 scriptural references to this FACT.
The Scriptures are very clear in naming Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Here's a structured look with direct support from the Bible.
YES I said from the Bible! If any can show me from the scriptures otherwise I'll be happy to look at it.
Paul Identified as the Apostle to the Gentiles
Romans 11:13 - "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office."
Paul explicitly calls himself the apostle of the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:7-8 - "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"
Here Paul distinguishes his commission to the Gentiles from Peter's commission to Israel (the circumcision).
Acts 9:15 - The Lord said of Paul to Ananias: "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."
From the very beginning of Paul's calling, his mission to Gentiles was central.
Ephesians 3:1-2 - "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward."
Paul makes clear that his ministry was uniquely tied to God's grace toward the Gentiles.
Summary
Paul is directly and repeatedly identified as the apostle to the Gentiles in Scripture.
His apostleship is distinct from the Twelve, who ministered primarily to Israel.
Through Paul, the "dispensation of the grace of God" was revealed and proclaimed among the nations.
Dear God the Father in Heaven, You who have All Power in Heaven and on Earth. We praise Your Holy Name from now on and forever. We come to You with humble hearts and pray for "Amanda". We ask You to lend Your ear to our prayer for "Amanda". Thank You that only You Jesus can help her in all things. Thank You for helping her now at this time, as we pray for deliverance from the evil that destroys Your Temple, Lord Jesus. We thank You for answered prayers and we know that man himself must want to ask for forgiveness for all the sins they have committed against You and against the people they have around them, and thank You Jesus for all things, Amen. Thank You for saving and healing "Amanda" Jesus Christ, Amen in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Hi again Lbooth1955. Clearly, you are passionate about getting this point across to us, about the difference between Paul's Gospel, as opposed to any other presentation. The main points you raised: a) Paul's (or my) Gospel; b) revelation of this Mystery; and c) Gospel of the Kingdom.
a) Paul not only received his salvation by direct revelation from Heaven ( Acts 9:3-9), but also was taught, exercised in faith, & had revelations as to his ministry separate from any outside influence ( Galatians 1:11-18). Thus what he learned became what he often spoke of as "my Gospel", which implies that he received it directly from the Lord and was charged to make it known chiefly to the Gentiles.
So the question, how was this Gospel any different to say what the other apostles preached? The only other apostle's preaching, that is often recorded is that of Peter. And when I consider his presentations (found in Acts 2:14-41; Acts 3:11-19; Acts 4:6-12; Acts 10:34-48), I find that the same Gospel was preached by Peter (i.e. nothing extra or different to Paul's Gospel, apart from the specifics relating to his audience: their knowledge of the Scriptures & events surrounding Jesus' Life on Earth). His Gospel was the same as Paul's: the need for repentance, faith, calling upon Jesus for salvation.
b) the Mystery. Paul does speak of this revelation given to him, but did not the others know about Gentiles also receiving this blessing of salvation after hearing the Gospel? Peter spoke about him being sent to the Gentiles ( Acts 15:7; Acts chap 10 (Cornelius, a Gentile). And Peter, through the vision of the unclean animals given for him to eat ( Acts 10:9-17), understood that this Mystery that Paul spoke about, was also given to him to understand. Even Paul spoke of this ( Ephesians 3:3-6) that the present apostles and prophets were made aware of this mystery, that the Gentiles would be fellow-heirs, or the same Body, and partakers of the promises. Onto Page 2.
On the subject of falling on our faces; we see Isaiah after He is undone in that manner say "Lord send me" ( Isaiah 6:8).
A similar scene occurs with Ezekiel and Jeremiah to some extent challenged to go to an obstinate generation. The fact that they were rebellious is repeated again and again. Thus; the validity of the messenger is attributed to the experience of their commission. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble ( James 4:6). He had to break Saul of Tarsus of course
and show him how much he would have to suffer for His Name's sake ( Acts 9:16). This certainly could be a side effect of his earlier murderous ways which were forgiven; and God used a determined individual who was totally sold out; obsessive as he was to do God's will. Paul certainly could never be faulted for lukewarmness.
There are some of us; as I have indicated in recent posts who need to take a step forward with boldness and avoid false humility in being polite and silent. It isn't easy on my part either and I prefer to hang out with those more gifted in evangelism; something I recommend for others as well. If we can't speak we can pray; for those witnessing with us; and for the needs we see everywhere with broken people. The best way to start is make every day an opportunity as we interact with people and ask God for those situations where we can share. I know it is hard especially when people are nasty these days.
We need to be obsessive to a certain extent; as we meditate on the Word. After a certain point of saturation we can hold steadfast during our routines until the next opportunity to end our work or other things needing to get done. We start to sense His protection around us and eventually that becomes unnerving to those who are observing us from the world because they sense who is in us and begin to fear themselves if we have that input of His Spirit. If we don't start off right in prayer our words seem shallow and empty.
The Bible speaks for itself, no dictionary or man's concordance needed.
The apostle Paul is uniquely identified in Scripture as the chosen vessel through whom God revealed the mystery of the Body of Christ. In Romans 11:13, Paul declares, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." Unlike the Twelve Apostles, who were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ( Matthew 10:5-6), Paul was sent by the risen, glorified Christ from heaven ( Acts 9:15; Galatians 1:11-12) to proclaim a new message-not the Gospel of the Kingdom, but the Gospel of the Grace of God ( Acts 20:24). Paul alone speaks of the "Church which is His Body" ( Ephesians 1:22-23), a new creation made up of both Jew and Gentile, united by faith and baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body ( 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:14-16).
The Body of Christ was a mystery "kept secret since the world began" ( Romans 16:25) and not revealed until Paul. He was given this revelation by Christ directly ( Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:24-27) and is the only apostle who teaches its doctrines-such as salvation by grace through faith without works ( Ephesians 2:8-9), the heavenly position of believers ( Colossians 3:1-4), and the rapture of the Church ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul calls himself the "wise masterbuilder" who laid the foundation for this present dispensation of grace ( 1 Corinthians 3:10). The other apostles, including Peter, recognized Paul's distinct apostleship and agreed to confine their ministry to the circumcision, while Paul went to the Gentiles ( Galatians 2:7-9).
No other apostle is identified in Scripture as the apostle of the Body of Christ. Only Paul received the full revelation of the mystery, the doctrines, and the heavenly calling of the Church. Therefore, Paul stands alone as the God-appointed apostle to the Body of Christ.
So it's not that Peter refused to preach Paul's message-it's that his role ended as God transitioned to a new dispensation. He respected Paul's calling but didn't cross over into a ministry that wasn't his.
In Summary
Peter didn't preach Paul's mystery message after meeting Paul because:
It wasn't his calling-his ministry was to the Jews.
He recognized Paul's unique revelation but didn't claim it for himself.
God was transitioning to the Body of Christ through Paul, not blending the two programs.
On another note...
Why did Paul get baptized?
Paul was baptized early in his conversion ( Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16) because at that time, God was still dealing with Israel under the kingdom program, where water baptism was required as a sign of repentance ( Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38). Paul's baptism was part of this transitional period.
However, after receiving the revelation of the mystery, Paul came to understand that in this new dispensation of grace, water baptism was no longer required for salvation. He later wrote:
"Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Corinthians 1:17)
So, Paul was baptized as part of the old program still active when he was saved-but he later taught that baptism was not part of the gospel of grace revealed to him.
It is true that Peter preached to Israel who were under the Law (and also to the Gentiles: Acts 15:7), but I cannot see that his message was anything of Grace under the Law. Rather Acts 15:7-11 was Peter's direct confrontation to those "Pharisees which believed" (Judaizers?) who promoted circumcision and the keeping of the Law of Moses for the Gentiles, when Peter stated that it would be "a yoke upon the neck of the disciples (new converts), which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear".
So clearly, the Law of Moses (including "obedience to commands and rituals") was removed from those now believing from both Jewish & Gentile stock. So, why didn't Peter preach this "mystery of the Gospel (which included Gentiles)"? Maybe, that wasn't an essential part of his preaching to the Jews, yet the message of salvation remained the same.
And, did Paul not believe in water baptism? He must have: he was baptized himself ( Acts 9:17.18) and spoke of it ( Acts 18:7,8; Acts 19:1-5; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17; Colossians 2:11,12). So whatever differences we might perceive between the two apostles, would be so minor as to be inconsequential when understanding the vital message of the Gospel, that it was faith alone that saves plus nothing else. GBU.
Romans 11:17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"
Ephesians 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:"
Romans 2:28 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:"
Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Acts 9:15"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
I said I suppose Peter is speaking to Jewish believers being that the early church started out with mostly "if not all Jews.
Here's why.
The early Church began in Jerusalem. Not at 1 Peter.
Many Jews turned to Christ after His death upon the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
We see the rapid growth of the Church in Acts 2 "in Jerusalem" where they started! The Lord added to the Church daily.
Multitudes of priests turned to Christ! They were all Jewish!
By the time you get to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 the Church "IN JERUSEALEM was all Jews, and 16-18 years passed between the events in Acts 2 (the day of Pentecost) and the Council of Jerusalem described in Acts 15.
The council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 was roughly around 50 AD. Roughly around 20 years after Christ death on the cross.
1 Peter was written around 63 AD and he wrote to the DIASPORA! He addressed them that way in 1 Peter 1:1. Roughly around 30 years after Christ death on the cross. Peter opened the doors for the Gentiles, but his primary message was to the Jews.
The Gentiles eventually grew in numbers due to the Churches Paul set up on his journey but due to slow travel and Paul's often imprisonment we have no way of knowing the numbers before Paul was martyred around 67 AD.
In 70, the local Christians all left Jerusalem and went to Pella, on the other side of the Jordan, where they disappeared. Jerusalem had prestige and was the spiritual center of the Church, but Pella was just one small town out of many!
Antioch became the closest thing to the center of Christianity after the destruction of Jerusalem.
Paul also spent time bearing the Lord's name before Jews also.
In Acts 9:15 we see that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the Lord's name before the children of Israel as well.
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL"
Is God an "angry God" (when we are away from Him)?
Acts 15:3, "And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion (the grk says "returning") of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren."
Acts 9:35, "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned (the grk says returned") to the Lord."
In both verses above we read about gentiles returning to the Lord.
But let's read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-12.
Some points we can point out in this story.
Was the father of that kid angry after his son left the house? Answer: No he wasn't. He was actually very sad. His heart was broken and his mind was always in his son. "Where is he? How is he doing? Is he ok?". How do we know all this?
In v 20 it says, "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
How was it possible for the father to see his kid when he was a great way off? Not accidently. But because he was standing every day at a high place in his house (upper floor?) expecting to see his child coming back. This shows the agony (not anger) that that father had for his kid to come back home safe.
"... and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.". "Kissed" is not a very precise translation of the grk in this verse. The grk means kissing him all around again and again. The father couldn't keep his hands off his son. He kept hugging and kissing him. So the same question again. Was he an angry father while waiting for his son's return?
We must understand our Father's heart when we are away from Him and the agony He is going through until we finally return to Him. This is our Father in Heaven. He is Love.
But let us change the ending of that story. Let's assume that his son never came back home an died in his sins. Then and only then God pauses being a dear Father and becomes a righteous Judge.
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." ( Ephesians 4:28).
These verses show that our actions should be part of what we verbally confess in order to bring restoration to those we have offended. THere are cases like with Paul where Barnabus stated in Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. This reminds us of the verse Proverbs 27:2 where another is to praise us rather than promotion of ourselves. In this case the early believers had to hear it from someone other than Paul himself for no doubt they feared he would entrap them and were doubtful that he was truly converted. This could be compared in some ways with a convicted criminal who sincerely is apologetic with a family of a victim when he has nothing to gain for himself-anyone can repent and part of OUR repentance is showing God's love toward those who offended us.
Repentance also involves a permanent turn from sin and not replacing one sin for another. This is one danger of those who say that they have a demon of "lust" or some other specific manifestation. The enemy will substitute one temptation for another; that is clear from the verses of Christ's temptation to go from satisfying hunger; to being suicidal and worshipping the Devil rather than God. We need to repent from actions and the lifestyle that leads to the broad road or directly to sin
Why should we follow Paul ? ? But what about following Jesus ? ?
All Twelve Disiples followed Jesus earthly ministry in the four gospels for the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them,Followme, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:18
And straightway they forsook their nets, andfollowed him.
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, andfollowed him.
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and theyfollowed Jesus.
Why should we follow Apostle Paul ? ?
Jesus Christ in Heaven did say that Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel for the Gentiles.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Jesus Christ is the author of the whole Bible.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus Christ wants us to follow Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and Salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul's doctrine is from Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
Apostle Paul said that we can always learn from the Old Testament and the caring down kingdom of gospel in the four gospels. The death of Jesus Christ started the New Testament
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of thetestator.
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I follow Apostle Paul's epistle in Jesus Christ for Doctrine and Salvation.
Once and man and a woman touch each other, they become husband and wife. Jesus Christ said to the Samaritans woman, you have five husbands.
John 4:18
For thou hast hadfivehusbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
We all know that the New Testament speaks of one husband and one wife in marriage. The Old Testament, there were man with more wife's.
1 Corinthians 7:3
Let thehusbandrender unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto thehusband.
It's really comes down to what doctrine are we going to follow to live a great Christian life, I choose the Apostle Paul's epistle because he was chosen from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:34
For David is notascendedinto the heavens: but he saith himself, TheLordsaid unto myLord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Apostle Paul always writes to believers in all his epistles.
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the gospel of grace that was given to him by the ascended Jesus Christ our God and Saviour.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, thatnoprophecy of the scriptureisof anyprivateinterpretation.
2 Timothy 3:16
Allscriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Apostle Paul started his ministry in Acts chapter nine .
Acts 9:15
ButtheLord said unto him,Gothy way: for heis a chosen vessel unto me,tobear my name beforetheGentiles, and kings, andthechildren ofIsrael:
The Jews did not want to hear Apostle Paul's doctrine , so Apostle Paul and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,It was necessary thattheword ofGod should first have been spokentoyou: but seeing ye putit from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turntotheGentiles.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of the grace of God
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Acts 9:16 is typical of the overall experience; more or less of Christians; in this case applying to Paul specifically. 2 Timothy 3:12 is in a similar vein along with scores of other scriptures; many from the Lord Himself. The prosperity gospel not only convinces people to take up a sinful lifestyle expecting God to be a cosmic genie; but it also robs a believer of the sanctification process where TRUE spiritual rewards can be attained through being refined as through the fire ( 1 Peter 1:6-7). Therefore whenever calamity or distress occurs we attribute it to Satan; and in some sense do the opposite error of Job who attributed things to God that Satan was allowed to afflict him with and thought God had abandoned him. That view of course is also wrong; but expecting somehow to escape the admonition of 2 Timothy 3:12 seem to ignore the word ALL which doesn't seem too difficult on a surface level to comprehend.
We should remember Christ Himself even when he healed sickness due to sin didn't withhold deliverance; but admonished to go and sin no more ( john 5:14) so that something worse doesn't happen; in the case of that individual likely that would be death and eternal judgment. Let us not forget the blind man whose condition wasn't due to sin in John 9:3; neither he NOR his parents had some generational curse involved in that particular illustration.
How sad to think that someone who is in poverty is somehow not trusting God enough; and no doubt many of these megachurches miss out on opportunities to help individuals in their own midst in needs even if there are charitable efforts where some help is given. I think I can say without too much risk of error that the church is already at the point of judgment overall.
In general therefore true movements of God are not going to have a prominent public display; and we only need to see this in the life of the Lord who wasn't interested in attention from a sideshow.
I concur with Brother Chris, salvation is offered to anyone regardless of their present position!
In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul says he was the chef of sinners. Jesus asked Paul in Acts 9:4 "why persecutest thou me? However Paul found grace. Paul was an instrument preserved before the foundation of the world by the foreknowledge of God.
When we consider the quote in Psalms 5:5
"thou hatest all workers of iniquity"
I believe that is those who are perhaps vessels of wrath who refuse the truth and deliberately going against God's will until the end with no repentance. God uses his foreknowledge to determine this as well.
We've had others that use to come on the site with various names and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" along with various other verses as battle invitations for a battling debate on the deity of Christ which brings contention in the body of Christ.
Here's what's important.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Acts 9:26 - And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself, that is, he was continually (Imperfect Tense), he was continually trying to join himself to the disciples.
And the word "joined" is the word glue. He was continually attempting to be a permanent part of the fellowship of the disciples in Jerusalem. But they were all afraid of him, and they believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Secondly: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, which is Aramaic. And her names, both Tabitha or Dorcas mean either Gazelle or Deer.
She is called that because they picked an animal that had large, beautiful eyes. So, they named her Tabitha because of her large, beautiful eyes that means Gazelle or Deer.
So anyways, there's a disciple who belongs to Christ, and this woman was full of good works. The word "good" is Agathos which pertains not to humanitarian good, but spiritual good. And almsdeeds, which means acts of mercy, which she was doing!
Acts 9:41 - And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he called the saints and the widows, he presented her living. In the Greek text, it's a Participle. Not alive, but living, all human functions working as if they never stopped!
Acts 10:10 - And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
More literally, the Greek text says, "the trance fell on him." That is very important. The trance fell on him.
Acts 9:11 - And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight. This is Straight Street. The reason why it was called that was because it is a two-mile street, and it is about as straight as an arrow. The engineering in that town didn't have much of a problem naming that street!
Jesus goes on to say and enquire in the house of Judas (not Judas Iscariot). Judas was a common name. Enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus.
Now I want to share with you that the text never says, "Saul of Tarsus." There's no Genitive case. It is "Saul the Tarsinian." But they say Tarsus so that we know he is from the city of Tarsus. He is Saul the Tarsinian. So, enquire for one called Saul the Tarsinian: for, behold, he is praying.
Acts 9:18 - And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here is the literal translation. And immediately there fell from his eyes as if scales. This is Dr. Luke describing it for us. It didn't say they were scales, but to him it looked like scales just falling off of his eyes. And he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:3 - And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
I do find some humor in this! He travelled 135 miles, mad as a hornet, saying, "I've got official paperwork to go from house to house." God doesn't save him at the beginning of the journey or the middle of the journey, but right before he goes into the city, 135 miles away.
The word "shined" (or shown), it's the word that is used for lightning, only this is lightning frozen in time. It's not a one quick flash thing like lightning. It's like it appears and just holds right over this entire contingent of people that Saul has with him. And it came from heaven.
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.
In the Greek text, there's emphasis in both places. He says, "I myself am Jesus, and you yourself are persecuting me." You are directly persecuting me. You are responding to me in my people!
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The Greek word for "pricks" means both a cattle prod, and a bee sting. You can imagine a cattle prod sticking you. It was making Saul madder. What would make him so mad? I can see him being mad enough to chase the Christians out of Jerusalem. But then to say "Hey, I hear there's Christians in Damascus, 135 miles away." It's not like you can take a plane and go over there.
He gets legal papers to travel 135 miles away to go house to house and round up Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem bound. That's obsessed! The Lord says, "I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting." It's hard for you to kick against the prods.
He's telling him that that's what it's like to get stung by a bee, every time you come across a Christian, and that sting just irritates you and you just want to "rub them out!"
Acts 8:39 - And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
In the Greek text, this phrase "caught away" is the word HARPADZO, same word for the rapture. God's Spirit snatched Philip away, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Many believe that this was a miracle where Philip was just there, and he's gone. But that doesn't necessarily have to be the translation as we understand it.
God Spirit just grabbed him by force. This wasn't a casual goodbye. It's one of those "I got to go!" And the eunuch saw him no more: and he (the eunuch) went on his way rejoicing. History tells us that this eunuch was the one who started the church, the body of Christ, in Ethiopia. Interesting when he got home!
Acts 9:2 - And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
So, he went to the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of "the way," and please notice the literal translation.
It is not "of this way." It's actually a title. The Christians were called or said to be of "the way." It is the word for road. It is the word for way of life taken from John 14:6. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
So, they did not see it as a religion. They saw it as a way of life, these people who are of "the way." Of what way? Of Jesus. He is their way of life. It's interesting that if he found any of "THE WAY," whether they were men or women, so he didn't care who they were, that he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
The word "bound" is in the Perfect Tense showing condition. He wants to get as many as he can find, both men and women, and bind them, put chains or ropes around them, and bring them into Jerusalem in this condition.
You are right, the word "even" doesn't appear in the grk text. As you said it was probably used to emphasize Jesus' person.
The grk says:
Acts 9:17,"...the Lord sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you on the way that you were coming..."
1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who releases of us from the coming wrath."
Hebrews 6:20, " Where forerunner for us Jesus entered, becoming high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec".
1 John 5:6, "He is who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ; not in water only, but in water and blood. And the Spirit is that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
The text I am using is the majority text which is almost the same as the received text.
Hi Cheryl1655. I understand what you are thinking & could be confusing, as several verses in the NT have this phrase, "even Jesus" ( Acts 9:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 6:20, 1 John 5:6). I couldn't detect the word 'even' appearing in the Greek (our Greek reading/speaking brothers could verify this), so I surmise that the KJB translators added this word to emphasize the One Who was being spoken/written of. It's probably like us saying, "the Lord, that is, Jesus", or "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, the very One called Jesus", when we want to correctly or emphatically point to Jesus alone. So these verses don't speak of two different people, just the One called Jesus.
I suppose a question thread isn't kosher with a sequel. Anyway; there are many scriptures that can be used to point out each part of the TULIP acronym; for instance T-Total Depravity We could quote Jeremiah 17:9; O-Unconditional Election ( Ephesians 1:4); L-Limited Atonement ( John 10:26-27); I-Irresistable Grace ( Acts 9:3-6 the "Damascus Road" experience) and finally P-Perseverance of the Saints ( Romans 8:30).
Many of these themes are interchangeable with the verses quoted. The terminology isn't the greatest; as people can indeed grieve the Spirit as scripture indicates. I believe limited atonement is also the hardest thing to prove; I would say that "Effectual grace" is a much better term.
I wrote what I did in the first posting on purpose as many tend to have a sort of pride about which Reformer is their favorite or obsess on the subject making a doctrine be above the author and finisher of our faith Christ Himself. We can't fit our theological premise neatly with all scriptures in human understanding. I take; for example the politically incorrect stance that free will doesn't intimidate God with His predestination plans. There are distinct advantages to understanding these doctrines however.
1. It explains why those in our families and others we are close to and hear the Gospel for years never become believers.
2. It shows how God draws His elect from before a confession of faith (preserves our lives until coming to salvation) for believers.
3. It allows us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith" ( 2 Cor. 13:5) so that we can indeed claim His promises as something we actually possess because of a saving faith rather than "decisional regeneration" a term where people make a confession but their hearts are not in it.
I mentioned on an old posting how a small group split because God grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25; etal). Some didn't want to preach the need to repent; although God grants the desire we must bear fruit and change our ways
West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
My COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV I. I Worship God that is Salvation, God that is always there for me in justification of my life I live. I Worship God that makes you rise up and walk , sets free from sin. 19b My Interpetation I Worship Jesus Christ is.God the Father, Son of God only. I Worship God that gives me eyes to see. I Worship Gof that wants us to be married. I Worship God that wants to speak him as truth only. VV 26-31 I Worship the Word of God with power and conviction. I Worship God of grace and love does not discriminate.
The Acts transition (why overlap doesn't equal identity):
Acts 1-7: Kingdom offer to Israel from Jerusalem; temple presence, signs and wonders, water baptism, and the call to national repentance in view ( Acts 2-3). Peter locates it in prophecy ("since the world began," Acts 3:21).
Acts 9: Christ saves and commissions Paul uniquely ( Acts 9:15), previewing a Gentile-oriented mission with a heavenly message.
Acts 10-11: Cornelius event authenticates that Gentiles can be blessed without full proselyte conformity. It is a sign to Israel ( Acts 11:17-18), not a merger of commissions.
Acts 13-28: Paul's mission expands; Israel's leadership resists; finally Acts 28:28 declares that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles "and they will hear it."
Historical unfolding means we observe temporary overlap in practices, settings, and personnel-but the revelatory center of gravity shifts to Paul. That shift unveils the BoC ("one new man," Eph 2:15-16) formed by Spirit baptism ( 1 Cor 12:13) with a heavenly calling ( Phil 3:20). Overlap in history, therefore, is not proof of identical identity; it records God's orderly transition of administrations.
see section 4
You may have misunderstood my comments, believing that I was denouncing works as the proper response to a genuine faith. Not at all, works that follow such a God-given faith must exist, or else it is no faith at all (and James deals with this quite well). So, it is not a work that results from faith that I refer to, but a work that must accompany faith to make our salvation real & effective.
The point I tried to make earlier, was that water baptism that accompanies repentance, belief, and faith, is a true baptism and not a work for it is part & parcel of one's testimony of a new life identified and received in Christ. And this is what I read in the Word by the many examples given ( Acts 2:38,41; Acts 8:12,13; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 9:17,18; Acts 10:21,44-48; Acts 16:14,15; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 18:8). All these folk were baptized immediately, or very soon after repenting and believing. Baptism here was not a 'work' added to salvation, but a very real part of one's witness before man & within oneself. In those days (as in some countries now), many would have suffered great loss or ostracization for turning to Christ, so baptism at that early stage was truly a bold declaration of love for the Savior & turning away from religion (& family) as a very real part of conversion.
Anything we do that adds to our salvation (even water baptism, if we deem it necessary to make our salvation real), is a work. And if that work, whether baptism, doing good deeds for others, attending to Jewish Law, etc., ensures our salvation, then our salvation is no longer of faith, but of works. For the salvation of God through His Son to be effective in our lives, it must be devoid of anything that attaches to that God-given faith; for that faith does save when it remains pure, free from all associations.
It seems that there are some who are having difficulty in understanding and or believing Paul's unique position regarding this present dispensation. Listed below are 4 scriptural references to this FACT.
The Scriptures are very clear in naming Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Here's a structured look with direct support from the Bible.
YES I said from the Bible! If any can show me from the scriptures otherwise I'll be happy to look at it.
Paul Identified as the Apostle to the Gentiles
Romans 11:13 - "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office."
Paul explicitly calls himself the apostle of the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:7-8 - "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"
Here Paul distinguishes his commission to the Gentiles from Peter's commission to Israel (the circumcision).
Acts 9:15 - The Lord said of Paul to Ananias: "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."
From the very beginning of Paul's calling, his mission to Gentiles was central.
Ephesians 3:1-2 - "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward."
Paul makes clear that his ministry was uniquely tied to God's grace toward the Gentiles.
Summary
Paul is directly and repeatedly identified as the apostle to the Gentiles in Scripture.
His apostleship is distinct from the Twelve, who ministered primarily to Israel.
Through Paul, the "dispensation of the grace of God" was revealed and proclaimed among the nations.
Peace and Grace
Acts 9:1-9 Love u in Christ Jesus
Hi again Lbooth1955. Clearly, you are passionate about getting this point across to us, about the difference between Paul's Gospel, as opposed to any other presentation. The main points you raised: a) Paul's (or my) Gospel; b) revelation of this Mystery; and c) Gospel of the Kingdom.
a) Paul not only received his salvation by direct revelation from Heaven ( Acts 9:3-9), but also was taught, exercised in faith, & had revelations as to his ministry separate from any outside influence ( Galatians 1:11-18). Thus what he learned became what he often spoke of as "my Gospel", which implies that he received it directly from the Lord and was charged to make it known chiefly to the Gentiles.
So the question, how was this Gospel any different to say what the other apostles preached? The only other apostle's preaching, that is often recorded is that of Peter. And when I consider his presentations (found in Acts 2:14-41; Acts 3:11-19; Acts 4:6-12; Acts 10:34-48), I find that the same Gospel was preached by Peter (i.e. nothing extra or different to Paul's Gospel, apart from the specifics relating to his audience: their knowledge of the Scriptures & events surrounding Jesus' Life on Earth). His Gospel was the same as Paul's: the need for repentance, faith, calling upon Jesus for salvation.
b) the Mystery. Paul does speak of this revelation given to him, but did not the others know about Gentiles also receiving this blessing of salvation after hearing the Gospel? Peter spoke about him being sent to the Gentiles ( Acts 15:7; Acts chap 10 (Cornelius, a Gentile). And Peter, through the vision of the unclean animals given for him to eat ( Acts 10:9-17), understood that this Mystery that Paul spoke about, was also given to him to understand. Even Paul spoke of this ( Ephesians 3:3-6) that the present apostles and prophets were made aware of this mystery, that the Gentiles would be fellow-heirs, or the same Body, and partakers of the promises. Onto Page 2.
On the subject of falling on our faces; we see Isaiah after He is undone in that manner say "Lord send me" ( Isaiah 6:8).
A similar scene occurs with Ezekiel and Jeremiah to some extent challenged to go to an obstinate generation. The fact that they were rebellious is repeated again and again. Thus; the validity of the messenger is attributed to the experience of their commission. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble ( James 4:6). He had to break Saul of Tarsus of course
and show him how much he would have to suffer for His Name's sake ( Acts 9:16). This certainly could be a side effect of his earlier murderous ways which were forgiven; and God used a determined individual who was totally sold out; obsessive as he was to do God's will. Paul certainly could never be faulted for lukewarmness.
There are some of us; as I have indicated in recent posts who need to take a step forward with boldness and avoid false humility in being polite and silent. It isn't easy on my part either and I prefer to hang out with those more gifted in evangelism; something I recommend for others as well. If we can't speak we can pray; for those witnessing with us; and for the needs we see everywhere with broken people. The best way to start is make every day an opportunity as we interact with people and ask God for those situations where we can share. I know it is hard especially when people are nasty these days.
We need to be obsessive to a certain extent; as we meditate on the Word. After a certain point of saturation we can hold steadfast during our routines until the next opportunity to end our work or other things needing to get done. We start to sense His protection around us and eventually that becomes unnerving to those who are observing us from the world because they sense who is in us and begin to fear themselves if we have that input of His Spirit. If we don't start off right in prayer our words seem shallow and empty.
The apostle Paul is uniquely identified in Scripture as the chosen vessel through whom God revealed the mystery of the Body of Christ. In Romans 11:13, Paul declares, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." Unlike the Twelve Apostles, who were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ( Matthew 10:5-6), Paul was sent by the risen, glorified Christ from heaven ( Acts 9:15; Galatians 1:11-12) to proclaim a new message-not the Gospel of the Kingdom, but the Gospel of the Grace of God ( Acts 20:24). Paul alone speaks of the "Church which is His Body" ( Ephesians 1:22-23), a new creation made up of both Jew and Gentile, united by faith and baptized by the Holy Spirit into one Body ( 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:14-16).
The Body of Christ was a mystery "kept secret since the world began" ( Romans 16:25) and not revealed until Paul. He was given this revelation by Christ directly ( Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:24-27) and is the only apostle who teaches its doctrines-such as salvation by grace through faith without works ( Ephesians 2:8-9), the heavenly position of believers ( Colossians 3:1-4), and the rapture of the Church ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul calls himself the "wise masterbuilder" who laid the foundation for this present dispensation of grace ( 1 Corinthians 3:10). The other apostles, including Peter, recognized Paul's distinct apostleship and agreed to confine their ministry to the circumcision, while Paul went to the Gentiles ( Galatians 2:7-9).
No other apostle is identified in Scripture as the apostle of the Body of Christ. Only Paul received the full revelation of the mystery, the doctrines, and the heavenly calling of the Church. Therefore, Paul stands alone as the God-appointed apostle to the Body of Christ.
In Summary
Peter didn't preach Paul's mystery message after meeting Paul because:
It wasn't his calling-his ministry was to the Jews.
He recognized Paul's unique revelation but didn't claim it for himself.
God was transitioning to the Body of Christ through Paul, not blending the two programs.
On another note...
Why did Paul get baptized?
Paul was baptized early in his conversion ( Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16) because at that time, God was still dealing with Israel under the kingdom program, where water baptism was required as a sign of repentance ( Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38). Paul's baptism was part of this transitional period.
However, after receiving the revelation of the mystery, Paul came to understand that in this new dispensation of grace, water baptism was no longer required for salvation. He later wrote:
"Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Corinthians 1:17)
So, Paul was baptized as part of the old program still active when he was saved-but he later taught that baptism was not part of the gospel of grace revealed to him.
Blessing Friend.
It is true that Peter preached to Israel who were under the Law (and also to the Gentiles: Acts 15:7), but I cannot see that his message was anything of Grace under the Law. Rather Acts 15:7-11 was Peter's direct confrontation to those "Pharisees which believed" (Judaizers?) who promoted circumcision and the keeping of the Law of Moses for the Gentiles, when Peter stated that it would be "a yoke upon the neck of the disciples (new converts), which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear".
So clearly, the Law of Moses (including "obedience to commands and rituals") was removed from those now believing from both Jewish & Gentile stock. So, why didn't Peter preach this "mystery of the Gospel (which included Gentiles)"? Maybe, that wasn't an essential part of his preaching to the Jews, yet the message of salvation remained the same.
And, did Paul not believe in water baptism? He must have: he was baptized himself ( Acts 9:17.18) and spoke of it ( Acts 18:7,8; Acts 19:1-5; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17; Colossians 2:11,12). So whatever differences we might perceive between the two apostles, would be so minor as to be inconsequential when understanding the vital message of the Gospel, that it was faith alone that saves plus nothing else. GBU.
Ephesians 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:"
Romans 2:28 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:"
Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Acts 9:15"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
Blessings
Blessings
I said I suppose Peter is speaking to Jewish believers being that the early church started out with mostly "if not all Jews.
Here's why.
The early Church began in Jerusalem. Not at 1 Peter.
Many Jews turned to Christ after His death upon the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
We see the rapid growth of the Church in Acts 2 "in Jerusalem" where they started! The Lord added to the Church daily.
Multitudes of priests turned to Christ! They were all Jewish!
By the time you get to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 the Church "IN JERUSEALEM was all Jews, and 16-18 years passed between the events in Acts 2 (the day of Pentecost) and the Council of Jerusalem described in Acts 15.
The council in Jerusalem in Acts 15 was roughly around 50 AD. Roughly around 20 years after Christ death on the cross.
1 Peter was written around 63 AD and he wrote to the DIASPORA! He addressed them that way in 1 Peter 1:1. Roughly around 30 years after Christ death on the cross. Peter opened the doors for the Gentiles, but his primary message was to the Jews.
The Gentiles eventually grew in numbers due to the Churches Paul set up on his journey but due to slow travel and Paul's often imprisonment we have no way of knowing the numbers before Paul was martyred around 67 AD.
In 70, the local Christians all left Jerusalem and went to Pella, on the other side of the Jordan, where they disappeared. Jerusalem had prestige and was the spiritual center of the Church, but Pella was just one small town out of many!
Antioch became the closest thing to the center of Christianity after the destruction of Jerusalem.
Paul also spent time bearing the Lord's name before Jews also.
In Acts 9:15 we see that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the Lord's name before the children of Israel as well.
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL"
God bless.
Acts 15:3, "And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion (the grk says "returning") of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren."
Acts 9:35, "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned (the grk says returned") to the Lord."
In both verses above we read about gentiles returning to the Lord.
But let's read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-12.
Some points we can point out in this story.
Was the father of that kid angry after his son left the house? Answer: No he wasn't. He was actually very sad. His heart was broken and his mind was always in his son. "Where is he? How is he doing? Is he ok?". How do we know all this?
In v 20 it says, "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
How was it possible for the father to see his kid when he was a great way off? Not accidently. But because he was standing every day at a high place in his house (upper floor?) expecting to see his child coming back. This shows the agony (not anger) that that father had for his kid to come back home safe.
"... and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.". "Kissed" is not a very precise translation of the grk in this verse. The grk means kissing him all around again and again. The father couldn't keep his hands off his son. He kept hugging and kissing him. So the same question again. Was he an angry father while waiting for his son's return?
We must understand our Father's heart when we are away from Him and the agony He is going through until we finally return to Him. This is our Father in Heaven. He is Love.
But let us change the ending of that story. Let's assume that his son never came back home an died in his sins. Then and only then God pauses being a dear Father and becomes a righteous Judge.
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." ( Ephesians 4:28).
These verses show that our actions should be part of what we verbally confess in order to bring restoration to those we have offended. THere are cases like with Paul where Barnabus stated in Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. This reminds us of the verse Proverbs 27:2 where another is to praise us rather than promotion of ourselves. In this case the early believers had to hear it from someone other than Paul himself for no doubt they feared he would entrap them and were doubtful that he was truly converted. This could be compared in some ways with a convicted criminal who sincerely is apologetic with a family of a victim when he has nothing to gain for himself-anyone can repent and part of OUR repentance is showing God's love toward those who offended us.
Repentance also involves a permanent turn from sin and not replacing one sin for another. This is one danger of those who say that they have a demon of "lust" or some other specific manifestation. The enemy will substitute one temptation for another; that is clear from the verses of Christ's temptation to go from satisfying hunger; to being suicidal and worshipping the Devil rather than God. We need to repent from actions and the lifestyle that leads to the broad road or directly to sin
All Twelve Disiples followed Jesus earthly ministry in the four gospels for the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them,Followme, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:18
And straightway they forsook their nets, andfollowed him.
Luke 5:11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, andfollowed him.
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and theyfollowed Jesus.
Why should we follow Apostle Paul ? ?
Jesus Christ in Heaven did say that Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel for the Gentiles.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Jesus Christ is the author of the whole Bible.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus Christ wants us to follow Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and Salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul's doctrine is from Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
Apostle Paul said that we can always learn from the Old Testament and the caring down kingdom of gospel in the four gospels. The death of Jesus Christ started the New Testament
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of thetestator.
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I follow Apostle Paul's epistle in Jesus Christ for Doctrine and Salvation.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Once and man and a woman touch each other, they become husband and wife. Jesus Christ said to the Samaritans woman, you have five husbands.
John 4:18
For thou hast hadfivehusbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
We all know that the New Testament speaks of one husband and one wife in marriage. The Old Testament, there were man with more wife's.
1 Corinthians 7:3
Let thehusbandrender unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto thehusband.
It's really comes down to what doctrine are we going to follow to live a great Christian life, I choose the Apostle Paul's epistle because he was chosen from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:34
For David is notascendedinto the heavens: but he saith himself, TheLordsaid unto myLord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Apostle Paul always writes to believers in all his epistles.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I love my gospel of grace
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the gospel of grace that was given to him by the ascended Jesus Christ our God and Saviour.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, thatnoprophecy of the scriptureisof anyprivateinterpretation.
2 Timothy 3:16
Allscriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Apostle Paul started his ministry in Acts chapter nine .
Acts 9:15
ButtheLord said unto him,Gothy way: for heis a chosen vessel unto me,tobear my name beforetheGentiles, and kings, andthechildren ofIsrael:
The Jews did not want to hear Apostle Paul's doctrine , so Apostle Paul and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,It was necessary thattheword ofGod should first have been spokentoyou: but seeing ye putit from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turntotheGentiles.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of the grace of God
The sixth dispensation, the one in which we now live, is theDispensation of Grace.
The Gospel of Grace given to Apostle Paul.
Ephesians 3:2
If ye have heard of thedispensationof the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Apostle Paul could of been the last one to complete the Bible besides Saint John.
Colossians 1:25
Whereof I am made a minister, according to thedispensationof God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
This is true, Apostle Paul is the man that Jesus Christ has chosen at Damascus.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is achosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Acts 9:16 is typical of the overall experience; more or less of Christians; in this case applying to Paul specifically. 2 Timothy 3:12 is in a similar vein along with scores of other scriptures; many from the Lord Himself. The prosperity gospel not only convinces people to take up a sinful lifestyle expecting God to be a cosmic genie; but it also robs a believer of the sanctification process where TRUE spiritual rewards can be attained through being refined as through the fire ( 1 Peter 1:6-7). Therefore whenever calamity or distress occurs we attribute it to Satan; and in some sense do the opposite error of Job who attributed things to God that Satan was allowed to afflict him with and thought God had abandoned him. That view of course is also wrong; but expecting somehow to escape the admonition of 2 Timothy 3:12 seem to ignore the word ALL which doesn't seem too difficult on a surface level to comprehend.
We should remember Christ Himself even when he healed sickness due to sin didn't withhold deliverance; but admonished to go and sin no more ( john 5:14) so that something worse doesn't happen; in the case of that individual likely that would be death and eternal judgment. Let us not forget the blind man whose condition wasn't due to sin in John 9:3; neither he NOR his parents had some generational curse involved in that particular illustration.
How sad to think that someone who is in poverty is somehow not trusting God enough; and no doubt many of these megachurches miss out on opportunities to help individuals in their own midst in needs even if there are charitable efforts where some help is given. I think I can say without too much risk of error that the church is already at the point of judgment overall.
In general therefore true movements of God are not going to have a prominent public display; and we only need to see this in the life of the Lord who wasn't interested in attention from a sideshow.
I concur with Brother Chris, salvation is offered to anyone regardless of their present position!
In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul says he was the chef of sinners. Jesus asked Paul in Acts 9:4 "why persecutest thou me? However Paul found grace. Paul was an instrument preserved before the foundation of the world by the foreknowledge of God.
When we consider the quote in Psalms 5:5
"thou hatest all workers of iniquity"
I believe that is those who are perhaps vessels of wrath who refuse the truth and deliberately going against God's will until the end with no repentance. God uses his foreknowledge to determine this as well.
Blessings.
I wasn't addressing that toward you.
I said we've had others that use to come on the site "WITH VARIOUS NAMES" and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" ect.
Some of us believe these various names is one person.
I believe sometimes these verses is used as clickbait to debate a topic.
However Ronald it seems you have went for it a few times.
Personally I pay attention to the delivery of the post and if it just comes out of nowhere with intensity I leave it alone even if I agree with them.
This person seems to be rolling their sleeves up.
I don't hold the view that we have to be open to everything however we should be willing to agree to disagree and move on.
I'm open to listen when one has brought something new to a past debate!
I'm not open to debate the same topic with the same verses over and over again.
I was just pointing out somethings that seems to be a bit repetitive.
Blessings
Jesus is titled the "Son of God!
We've had others that use to come on the site with various names and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" along with various other verses as battle invitations for a battling debate on the deity of Christ which brings contention in the body of Christ.
Here's what's important.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Blessings.
Acts 9:26 - And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself, that is, he was continually (Imperfect Tense), he was continually trying to join himself to the disciples.
And the word "joined" is the word glue. He was continually attempting to be a permanent part of the fellowship of the disciples in Jerusalem. But they were all afraid of him, and they believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Secondly: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, which is Aramaic. And her names, both Tabitha or Dorcas mean either Gazelle or Deer.
She is called that because they picked an animal that had large, beautiful eyes. So, they named her Tabitha because of her large, beautiful eyes that means Gazelle or Deer.
So anyways, there's a disciple who belongs to Christ, and this woman was full of good works. The word "good" is Agathos which pertains not to humanitarian good, but spiritual good. And almsdeeds, which means acts of mercy, which she was doing!
Acts 9:41 - And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he called the saints and the widows, he presented her living. In the Greek text, it's a Participle. Not alive, but living, all human functions working as if they never stopped!
Acts 10:10 - And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
More literally, the Greek text says, "the trance fell on him." That is very important. The trance fell on him.
Acts 9:11 - And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight. This is Straight Street. The reason why it was called that was because it is a two-mile street, and it is about as straight as an arrow. The engineering in that town didn't have much of a problem naming that street!
Jesus goes on to say and enquire in the house of Judas (not Judas Iscariot). Judas was a common name. Enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus.
Now I want to share with you that the text never says, "Saul of Tarsus." There's no Genitive case. It is "Saul the Tarsinian." But they say Tarsus so that we know he is from the city of Tarsus. He is Saul the Tarsinian. So, enquire for one called Saul the Tarsinian: for, behold, he is praying.
Acts 9:18 - And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here is the literal translation. And immediately there fell from his eyes as if scales. This is Dr. Luke describing it for us. It didn't say they were scales, but to him it looked like scales just falling off of his eyes. And he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.
(Acts Part 21):
Acts 9:3 - And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
I do find some humor in this! He travelled 135 miles, mad as a hornet, saying, "I've got official paperwork to go from house to house." God doesn't save him at the beginning of the journey or the middle of the journey, but right before he goes into the city, 135 miles away.
The word "shined" (or shown), it's the word that is used for lightning, only this is lightning frozen in time. It's not a one quick flash thing like lightning. It's like it appears and just holds right over this entire contingent of people that Saul has with him. And it came from heaven.
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.
In the Greek text, there's emphasis in both places. He says, "I myself am Jesus, and you yourself are persecuting me." You are directly persecuting me. You are responding to me in my people!
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The Greek word for "pricks" means both a cattle prod, and a bee sting. You can imagine a cattle prod sticking you. It was making Saul madder. What would make him so mad? I can see him being mad enough to chase the Christians out of Jerusalem. But then to say "Hey, I hear there's Christians in Damascus, 135 miles away." It's not like you can take a plane and go over there.
He gets legal papers to travel 135 miles away to go house to house and round up Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem bound. That's obsessed! The Lord says, "I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting." It's hard for you to kick against the prods.
He's telling him that that's what it's like to get stung by a bee, every time you come across a Christian, and that sting just irritates you and you just want to "rub them out!"
Acts 8:39 - And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
In the Greek text, this phrase "caught away" is the word HARPADZO, same word for the rapture. God's Spirit snatched Philip away, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Many believe that this was a miracle where Philip was just there, and he's gone. But that doesn't necessarily have to be the translation as we understand it.
God Spirit just grabbed him by force. This wasn't a casual goodbye. It's one of those "I got to go!" And the eunuch saw him no more: and he (the eunuch) went on his way rejoicing. History tells us that this eunuch was the one who started the church, the body of Christ, in Ethiopia. Interesting when he got home!
Acts 9:2 - And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
So, he went to the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of "the way," and please notice the literal translation.
It is not "of this way." It's actually a title. The Christians were called or said to be of "the way." It is the word for road. It is the word for way of life taken from John 14:6. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
So, they did not see it as a religion. They saw it as a way of life, these people who are of "the way." Of what way? Of Jesus. He is their way of life. It's interesting that if he found any of "THE WAY," whether they were men or women, so he didn't care who they were, that he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
The word "bound" is in the Perfect Tense showing condition. He wants to get as many as he can find, both men and women, and bind them, put chains or ropes around them, and bring them into Jerusalem in this condition.
You are right, the word "even" doesn't appear in the grk text. As you said it was probably used to emphasize Jesus' person.
The grk says:
Acts 9:17,"...the Lord sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you on the way that you were coming..."
1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who releases of us from the coming wrath."
Hebrews 6:20, " Where forerunner for us Jesus entered, becoming high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec".
1 John 5:6, "He is who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ; not in water only, but in water and blood. And the Spirit is that bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
The text I am using is the majority text which is almost the same as the received text.
Many of these themes are interchangeable with the verses quoted. The terminology isn't the greatest; as people can indeed grieve the Spirit as scripture indicates. I believe limited atonement is also the hardest thing to prove; I would say that "Effectual grace" is a much better term.
I wrote what I did in the first posting on purpose as many tend to have a sort of pride about which Reformer is their favorite or obsess on the subject making a doctrine be above the author and finisher of our faith Christ Himself. We can't fit our theological premise neatly with all scriptures in human understanding. I take; for example the politically incorrect stance that free will doesn't intimidate God with His predestination plans. There are distinct advantages to understanding these doctrines however.
1. It explains why those in our families and others we are close to and hear the Gospel for years never become believers.
2. It shows how God draws His elect from before a confession of faith (preserves our lives until coming to salvation) for believers.
3. It allows us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith" ( 2 Cor. 13:5) so that we can indeed claim His promises as something we actually possess because of a saving faith rather than "decisional regeneration" a term where people make a confession but their hearts are not in it.
I mentioned on an old posting how a small group split because God grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25; etal). Some didn't want to preach the need to repent; although God grants the desire we must bear fruit and change our ways