Genuine message of salvation

“God who made the world and everything …”

(Thought by the readings of May 6)

Page of the Acts of the Apostles from the last edition of the bible originally translated by Johann Dietenberger, published in Augsburg 1776 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What exciting chapters we read in Acts today (16 & 17)! We see Paul’s total commitment to preach among as many Gentiles as possible the genuine message of salvation. This was despite whatever kind of hostility arose. He usually began by speaking to the Jews – and

“reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving …” (17:2,3)

his message about the teaching, life and death of Jesus; but most Jews rejected this with acts of violence.

The Jews revered their holy book, but they seriously misunderstood it – the same has been the case, but for different reasons, among Christians since the first couple of Centuries; since then all too many decide what they want to believe, such as going to heaven when they die – and vainly look for proof, ignoring all the passages that tell them something different.

Paul came to Athens and found

“the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (verse 21);

these were the things of human imagination, but Paul challenged them to get to know

“the God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth” (verse 24).

The Bible has made this challenge to the world ever since. Paul told the Athenians to

“seek God … that they might feel their way toward him and find him … he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness” (verses 27,30,31).

There are increasing reasons to believe that the “day” of judgement in now very close! Our world is in a total mess. The reactions in Athens was that “some mocked” (verse 32) especially at the thought of the dead being raised. What is your reaction?

How pleased God will be if He sees your reaction as being like it was

“in Thessalonica (where) they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily …” (verse 11).

May we feel motivated to do the same – and not be like the virgins who had no oil in their lamps (Matthew 25:3) or like those, of whom Jesus said in his final message to one of the churches,

“because you are lukewarm … I will spit you out of my mouth … so be zealous … behold I stand at the door …” (Revelation 3:16,19,20).

Let’s be ready to open it.

– the Christadelphian

+

Preceding:

May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way

God who knows the heart

Hearing words to accept

Next: Showing by the scriptures that …

A Dutch text going deeper on this subject and on the next article may be found at:
Echte boodschap van redding niet ver te zoeken

++

Additional reading:

1. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
2. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
3. Not able to make contact with God because to busy
4. Appointed to be read
5. The manager and Word of God
6. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
7. The holy spirit will bring back to your minds all the things told
8. We should use the Bible every day
9. Feed Your Faith Daily
10. Be an Encourager
11. Believing in the send one and understanding that one does not live by bread alone
12. We may not be ignorant to get wisdom
13. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
14. Eternal Word that tells everything
15. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word

+++

Related articles

• May 5 – thirsty
• Missional Contextualization for Gospel Transformation
• Your best personality.
• We Are Their Slaves
• When Will The Goyim Get Their Act Together?
• Unity Consciousness Blocked by the Jew
• The Book of Acts – Part 5 – Paul’s First Missionary Journey – Paul Turns to the Gentiles
• Call on the name of the Lord