1) The Apostle to the Gentiles (Kyle Pope)
2) “He who DOES…” (Bryan Gibson)
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The Apostle to the Gentiles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kyle Pope -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bryan Gibson 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street Sunday: 9 a.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service. Congregational Song Service<\/strong>: 5 p.m. for every first Sunday of the month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Bible Classes<\/p>\n\n\n\n evangelist\/editor: <\/strong><\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) The Apostle to the Gentiles (Kyle Pope)2) “He who DOES…” (Bryan Gibson)——————– \u00a0 -1- The Apostle to the Gentiles […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2524"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2528,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2524\/revisions\/2528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
After Paul left Philippi, Luke records that Paul passed through Amphipolis, Apollonia, and upon coming to Thessalonica went into the synagogue and taught \u201cas his custom was\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 17:1-2, NKJV). While this custom is demonstrated throughout the book of Acts, in Luke\u2019s account of his earlier work in Pisidian Antioch we learn why Paul practiced this custom. When Jews in the city rejected his teaching about Jesus, Paul and Barnabas declared to them, \u201cIt was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 13:46).
Immediately after saying this, Luke records that they applied a text in Isaiah to their own work, telling them further, \u201cFor so the Lord has commanded us: \u2018I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth\u2019\u201d <\/strong>(Acts 13:47). In the context of Isaiah, the text was describing the role the Messiah would play. Isaiah foretold that God would set the Messiah as \u201ca light to the Gentiles,\u201d<\/strong> Who would bring (as the Hebrew text puts it), \u201cMy salvation to the ends of the earth\u201d<\/strong> (Isa. 49:6). Were Paul and Barnabas putting themselves in the place of the Messiah? No, they were drawing the necessary inference from Isaiah\u2019s prophecy that if the Messiah was to bring God\u2019s light and salvation to the Gentiles, His servants are charged to do the same.
Paul took this responsibility quite seriously. He told the Romans he was \u201can apostle to the Gentiles\u201d <\/strong>(Rom. 11:13)\u2014a ministry he magnified<\/em> (NKJV) or made much of<\/em> (NIV). So why wouldn\u2019t he go first <\/em>to the Gentiles? Why would he make it his custom to go first<\/em> to Jewish synagogues to preach the gospel? He continued to tell the Romans that he took pride in <\/em>(Wey) his ministry \u201cif by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them\u201d<\/em> (Rom. 11:14, NKJV). Let\u2019s consider some patterns Paul demonstrates to us about teaching unbelievers (and believers).
1. The Most Obvious Prospects are not Always the Ones Who Accept the Truth.<\/strong> The Jews knew the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul affirmed, \u201cthe voices of the Prophets . . . are read every Sabbath\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 13:27). They were awaiting the Messiah. This made them the most obvious prospects to accept the truth about Jesus, but unfortunately many did not. In most instances \u201csome of them were persuaded\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 17:4; cf. 17:12; 17:34; etc.), but almost always many rejected the truth. In our day, we might assume that the most likely candidates to accept the truth are those who come from believing families or have some type of faith (even though steeped in denominational error). That isn\u2019t always the case. If we only<\/em> pursue these prospects we may miss others whose hearts are a \u201cblank state\u201d free of religious prejudice and preconceptions.
2. Opposition from Those Who Believe Sometimes Presents Opportunities. <\/strong>In Thessalonica \u201cthe Jews who were not persuaded\u201d<\/strong> (17:5) became envious<\/em> and turned out to be a source of great persecution to Christians throughout Macedonia. This was not the type of jealousy<\/em> Paul hoped to provoke, but in some cases even this served the cause of Christ. Although the converts in Thessalonica had \u201creceived the word in much affliction\u201d<\/strong> (1 Thess. 1:6), they had \u201cturned to God from idols to serve the living and true God\u201d<\/strong> (1 Thess. 1:9), thus becoming \u201cexamples to all in Macedonia and Achaia\u201d <\/strong>(1 Thess. 1:7). How Christians respond to the opposition that arises when we try to teach the more obvious prospects can open doors to teach those who are watching us.
3. The Truth is the Same, but the Starting Points Differ.<\/strong> It is significant to notice how Paul\u2019s approach differs depending upon the background of the prospect or audience. When talking to Jews he pointed to Jesus\u2019 fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (see Acts 13:16-41), but when talking to Gentiles this wasn\u2019t where he started. This makes sense, because he couldn\u2019t expect Gentiles (who did not know the Scriptures) to care about what the Jewish Scriptures foretold. Instead, he started with things to spark their interest. In Athens, he pointed to their own temple \u201cTO THE UNKNOWN GOD\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 17:23). He explained His nature (Acts 17:24-28a), quoting one of their own prophet\u2019s claim that \u201cwe are also His offspring\u201d<\/strong> (Acts 17:28b). Paul wasn\u2019t equating pagan poetry with God\u2019s word. He was establishing connections with those he was teaching. In Lystra, when Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man the people imagined that they were gods and tried to offer sacrifices to them (Acts 14:9-13). In response, they had to cut through their superstitions and explain limits of their own human nature in contrast to the power of the true and living God (Acts 14:14-18). In Ephesus, Paul worked with those who once practiced magic arts, leading them to reject this and even destroy the books that taught what they once practiced (Acts 19:13-20). When we try to teach unbelievers, although our goal is to lead them to God\u2019s word, we too may have to start with things they understand. There will be superstitions and false ideas they have. Gently and respectfully addressing these erroneous beliefs and contrasting them with the truth can allow us to move them to consider what the Scripture teaches.
4. Have the Courage to Speak the Truth.<\/strong> Although Paul\u2019s approach in teaching Gentiles was often more gentle than his approach to his Jewish brethren, that was not a reflection of timidity. He told the idolaters in Lystra to \u201cturn from these useless things to the living God\u201d <\/strong>(Acts 14:15). In Athens, he confessed to the intellectual philosophers of the Areopagus his confidence in a future day of judgment and resurrection from the dead (Acts 17:30-31)\u2014a belief that led some to mock him (Acts 17:32). When Paul taught the Roman governor Felix, he courageously spoke to him \u201cabout righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come\u201d<\/strong> causing Felix to be \u201cafraid\u201d <\/strong>and send Paul away (Acts 24:25). Josephus tells that Felix had seduced a married woman to leave her husband and marry him (Antiquities<\/em> 20.7.2). He was living in adultery (Matt. 19:9). He had good reason to fear. Even so, Paul was bold enough to speak the truth. As we teach unbelievers, we will undoubtedly encounter those who practice lifestyles and beliefs that are dramatically opposed to the doctrine of Christ. While we must certainly be gentle and kind as we teach them the truth that will expose the sinfulness of their condition, we must never in our gentleness fail to speak the truth<\/em> to them in love<\/em> (Eph. 4:15). Paul had the courage to tell the truth in all things, and we must do the same.
5. Failure in One Area, Can Lead to Success in Another. <\/strong>An interesting consequence of Paul\u2019s custom of going to Jews first, then turning to the Gentiles, was the fact that it presented him with unexpected spiritual successes, on the heels of spiritual failures. That is, the rejection of the truth by those who would have been expected to accept it, presented unlikely prospects the opportunity to hear the truth. Paul told the Jews, \u201csince you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles\u201d <\/strong>(Acts 13:46). Sometimes the fact that one person we teach rejects the truth leads us to become discouraged and fail to even try to teach others. What if Paul had done that? Bro. Norman Sewell tells of a situation he once faced where a man was converted as a result of a correspondence course. Although that man did not remain faithful this led to the man\u2019s brother also obeying the gospel. The man\u2019s brother became a gospel preacher and has led others to obey the truth. Paul shows us that one person rejecting the truth shouldn\u2019t lead us to stop teaching the lost. Sometimes that is the very thing that leads us to the souls who need the truth and will obey it.
\u2014 Via Faithful Sayings,<\/em> Volume 25, Issue 26, June 25, 2023
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cHe Who DOES\u2026\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you read 2 Timothy chapter 2, you can’t help but notice the many action words, all the things Timothy is told to DO: commit (v. 2); endure (3); consider (7); remember (8); remind (14); charge (14); shun (16); depart (19); flee (22); pursue (22); avoid (23); correct (25). And then the things he is told to BE, which also involves some DOING: \u201cbe strong\u201d (1); \u201cbe diligent\u201d (15); \u201cbe gentle to all, able to teach, patient\u201d (24).
When studying the New Testament letters, especially the more practical sections, let\u2019s make sure we clearly identify the rules, the admonitions, the commandments\u2014the things God tells us to DO. Some will be explicitly stated (as in this chapter), others implied, still others shown by example; but whichever the case, let\u2019s make sure we don\u2019t miss them.
\u201cNot everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES the will of My Father in heaven\u201d (Matthew 7:21).
\u201cBut be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves\u201d (James 1:22).
\u2014 Via Plain Words<\/em> from God\u2019s Word
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith <\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong> in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/strong>
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/strong>Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
<\/a>https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> <\/strong><\/strong>(This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but <\/strong><\/strong>with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)
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