And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:11-15)
Paul, by the power of God, healed a lame man and all the citizens of that region sought to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. Paul and Barnabas cried out to them that they should not do so for God alone is God and men are men. Paul did not heal by any power of his own, nor was he a god walking among them. God has shown His power in the heavens, in the earth, and in things which He provides to all. All nature testifies that He is God, the Creator, Provider, and Sustainer of all things, and He alone is worthy of our worship. Anything else is in vain and worthless and condemned. Idolatry, in physical acts or of the heart and mind, is rejection of God and all that He is.
Paul wanted the people to know that God indeed was God of all creation. That He alone is God and He alone is worthy of our worship. He could not accept their adoration, for Paul neither did the work nor deserved the praise. God was the one who healed the lame man, and provided the rain and the harvest, and created all things. Though he would be stoned for doing so, Paul not only preached the creator to the Gentiles that they might know Jesus was the Son of God who is God the Son and their Saviour, he also preached Christ to those Jews who were still listening. The fervor he stirred up by preaching Christ crucified led to his stoning for the faith and establishment of churches of those who believed.
God’s Church must preach the whole Word of God, from Creation to Consummation, and the message of hope in Jesus Christ it proclaims. We alone have been commissioned to take the Word of God to the lost that they might be saved by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We must not get sidetracked by focusing on social issues or material needs, which are avenues to bring the Gospel into the community, but always preach Christ and Him crucified. The Good News is the only news which will save and salvation by faith alone through grace alone is the business of the Father we must be about for His glory alone.
God calls all His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Paul wanted the people to know that God indeed was God of all creation. That He alone is God and He alone is worthy of our worship. He could not accept their adoration, for Paul neither did the work nor deserved the praise. God was the one who healed the lame man, and provided the rain and the harvest, and created all things. Though he would be stoned for doing so, Paul not only preached the creator to the Gentiles that they might know Jesus was the Son of God who is God the Son and their Saviour, he also preached Christ to those Jews who were still listening. The fervor he stirred up by preaching Christ crucified led to his stoning for the faith and establishment of churches of those who believed.
God’s Church must preach the whole Word of God, from Creation to Consummation, and the message of hope in Jesus Christ it proclaims. We alone have been commissioned to take the Word of God to the lost that they might be saved by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We must not get sidetracked by focusing on social issues or material needs, which are avenues to bring the Gospel into the community, but always preach Christ and Him crucified. The Good News is the only news which will save and salvation by faith alone through grace alone is the business of the Father we must be about for His glory alone.
God calls all His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
RSS Feed