But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:20-23)
Paul repeated his testimony and salvation on the road to Damascus and how he has taken the Gospel to all people, wherever God had sent him. He stated the Gospel of repentance and faith in Christ to the court of Agrippa. Though Festus could not charge him with anything guilty of death, neither could they let him go as he had appealed to Caesar because of the Jews and their hatred of him and his message. Though nothing he did or said was contrary to their Law it did conflict with their power and position and the traditions which they had added to the Law in order to hold the people under their authority.
Paul’s defense was the Gospel and God's call upon him to preach Christ and Him crucified and the court of Agrippa gave him another opportunity to speak to all that were present. Paul did not shy away from speaking not only the truth of his circumstances but also the Truth from Scripture that all might hear and believe. Knowing that many in that room were well acquainted with the Jewish religion and with Christianity, he spoke the more boldly, but speak he did and though many rejected his words of hope and peace, some were almost persuaded, but not unto eternal life. They knew of the things he spoke, even mocked him for his claims, but they did not receive the Word of life.
Despite all we who are saved may do to preach the Gospel in every situation, some will not believe even if they are almost persuaded intellectually of the truth of our claims. There are those who outright reject the message of eternal life, may even be hostile, but the saddest of all, and the ones which take the most prayer and care when witnessing are those who are very knowledgeable about the facts but have never surrendered to God on His terms and put their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. The ones who are still satisfied with the sin they are in and have not yet come to that place where they give up their fight with God and repent in order to be saved and forgiven. They may be almost persuaded in their minds but not yet dead to self in their hearts and not yet as those in Christ have become by the power of God.
As we go trying to reach all who will hear the Gospel, God calls 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’s defense was the Gospel and God's call upon him to preach Christ and Him crucified and the court of Agrippa gave him another opportunity to speak to all that were present. Paul did not shy away from speaking not only the truth of his circumstances but also the Truth from Scripture that all might hear and believe. Knowing that many in that room were well acquainted with the Jewish religion and with Christianity, he spoke the more boldly, but speak he did and though many rejected his words of hope and peace, some were almost persuaded, but not unto eternal life. They knew of the things he spoke, even mocked him for his claims, but they did not receive the Word of life.
Despite all we who are saved may do to preach the Gospel in every situation, some will not believe even if they are almost persuaded intellectually of the truth of our claims. There are those who outright reject the message of eternal life, may even be hostile, but the saddest of all, and the ones which take the most prayer and care when witnessing are those who are very knowledgeable about the facts but have never surrendered to God on His terms and put their faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. The ones who are still satisfied with the sin they are in and have not yet come to that place where they give up their fight with God and repent in order to be saved and forgiven. They may be almost persuaded in their minds but not yet dead to self in their hearts and not yet as those in Christ have become by the power of God.
As we go trying to reach all who will hear the Gospel, God calls 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
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