Tuesday 14 November 2017

Salvation for all

Salvation for all
The book of acts records Paul entering with some companions Pisidian Antioch. There
“..... On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” Acts 13: 14,15.
Acts 13:16-37 tells of Paul accepting the invitation gave them a brief history lesson in which he showed that Jesus was the promised Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. He concludes his remarks saying,
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”Acts 13:38.
The book of Acts then notes,
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.  
When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.  
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’’” 
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”Acts 13:42-49.
While acts 13:50 notes that Paul and Barnabas were exiled from the region, it didn’t stop the gospel message.
The fact is the gospel message is impossible to stop. It is a message directly from God. A message of forgiveness of sins, of hope, and Life everlasting with God the father, to all those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ.
The gospel of John records Jesus as saying,
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30.
The question today in the twenty-first century  however becomes the same question Jesus himself asked Martha. As recorded in John’s gospel,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
  What do you believe?
Please think about it.

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