"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS" The Athenians (17:16-34) by Mark Copeland

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/conversions-in-acts/cia_08.html

"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

The Athenians (17:16-34)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our next example of conversion is another often overlooked...
1. It is the conversion of "The Athenians", two of whom are specifically mention by name
2. Yet they are usually not listed in charts showing examples of conversion
3. Again, it likely because little is said, other than that they "believed" - Ac 17:34
2. But our purpose in this series is to also consider the sermons which led people to Christ...
1. In this case we have a remarkable sermon by the apostle Paul
2. A sermon proclaimed not to Jews or even Gentile God-fearers (like Cornelius), but to pagan philosophers and polytheists
3. So our focus in this lesson will be more on the sermon itself, with attention to...
1. How Paul addressed those who did not know the God of Israel
2. The themes Paul addressed in this sermon

[We begin our study with a look at...]

1. THE SETTING OF THE SERMON
1. PAUL HAD JUST ARRIVED IN ATHENS...
1. Following a hasty departure from Berea - Ac 17:13-15
2. Provoked by the idolatry rampant in the city, he began preaching at every opportunity - Ac 17:16-17
1. Reasoning in the synagogues with the Jews and Gentile worshipers
2. Reasoning daily with any who happened to be in marketplace
2. HE ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF SOME PHILOSOPHERS...
1. In particular, certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers - Ac 17:18
1. Some of which viewed him as a proclaimer of foreign gods
2. Because Paul was preaching of Jesus and the resurrection
2. They brought him to the Areopagus and invited him to speak - Ac 17:19-21
1. A rocky hill about 370 feet high, not far from the Acropolis and the Agora (marketplace) in Athens - Holman Bible Dictionary
2. As Luke explains, it was a place where Athenians and visitors spent their time discussing any new idea or thing that came along
3. Not having heard the doctrine of Christ, they wanted to know more

[With such an invitation, you can imagine that Paul was delighted to accommodate them...]

2. PAUL'S SERMON AT THE AREOPAGUS
1. THE THEME: THE GOD THEY DO NOT KNOW...
1. Acknowledging their religious devotion, he made mention of one altar in particular - Ac 17:22-23a
1. An altar with the inscription: "To The Unknown God"
2. So devout, they sought to worship a god they did not know
2. He used this as an opportunity to preach concerning the True God they did not know! - Ac 17:23b
2. THE MAIN POINTS...
1. God is the creator of the universe - Ac 17:24
1. He made the world, He is Lord of heaven and earth
2. As such, He does not dwell in temples made with hands - cf. 1Ki 8:22-30
2. God is the sustainer of life - Ac 17:25
1. He gives to all life their breath and what they need - cf. Jm 1:17
2. Therefore God is not worshipped as though He needs it
3. God is the ruler of all the nations - Ac 17:26-27
1. He has created every nation and determined their rise and fall - Dan 2:20-21; 4:17
2. Everything is designed to prompt men to seek God, who is not far from any of us
4. God is the Father of mankind - Ac 17:28-29
1. From God we come; and in Him we live, move, and have our very being
2. Therefore we should not think that God is like any idol of gold, silver or stone
5. God is the Judge of the world - Ac 17:30-31
1. What ignorance He may have overlooked in the past, such is no longer the case
2. He now commands all men everywhere to repent
3. Why? Because of the coming Judgment, in which...
1. God will judge the world in righteousness
2. God will judge the world through Jesus Christ - Jn 5:22, 26-27; 12:48
4. As proof such will occur, God raised Jesus from the dead
-- These five points are from John Stott's book, The Spirit, The Church, And The World
3. THE RESPONSE...
1. The mention of the resurrection provoked a response - Ac 17:32
1. Some mocked (to many philosophers, the idea of a bodily resurrection is foolishness)
2. Others were more cordial, offering to listen again at another time
2. But as Paul left, some joined him and believed - Ac 17:33-34
1. Specifically mentioned are Dionysius the Areopagite, and Damaris, a woman
2. Others also joined Paul and believed
3. SOME OBSERVATIONS
1. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING PAUL'S SERMON...
1. Paul used tact - Ac 17:22-23
1. He acknowledges their spirituality, though misdirected
2. We should not hesitate to acknowledge the devotion one might have; if in error, our task is to explain "the way of God more accurately" - e.g., Ac 18:24-26
2. Paul began with the present spiritual condition of his audience - Ac 17:23-27
1. They believed in supreme beings, but didn't know the True God
2. With the Jews he began with the Law, with the Gentiles he began with the nature of God; we too should take into consideration where one is spiritually
3. Paul made use of an accepted authority - Ac 17:28-29
1. He quotes from one of their own prophets to make his point
2. When appropriate, we can appeal to an uninspired authority accepted by others (when in harmony with God's Word)
4. Paul led his audience to the main themes of the gospel - Ac 17:30-31
1. Such as the need to repent, the coming Judgment - cf. Ac 2:38; 3:19
2. So our ultimate goal in preaching should be the gospel message
5. Paul used the resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate proof - Ac 17:31
1. God has given assurance of the coming Judgment by raising Jesus
2. Indeed, if Jesus did rise from the dead, it is proof of:
1. The existence of God
2. The truthfulness of all of Jesus' claims
3. The reality of sin, judgment, and the need to repent
3. This is why we need to develop a strong apologetic for the resurrection of Jesus
2. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSE...
1. People responded in three different ways - Ac 17:32-34
1. Some mocked what they heard
2. Some put off making a decision until later
3. Some decided to follow with Paul and believed
-- Since we have no promise of tomorrow, the only safe course is the last!
2. Of those who responded favorably, it is only said that they "believed" - Ac 17:34
1. Are we to conclude from this that was all they did?
2. Did they not also "repent", as commanded in Ac 17:30?
3. The term "believed" encompassed more than simply an acceptance of the facts that had been proclaimed
1. It involved a complete reception of the message preached
2. It included an obedience to whatever conditions had been proclaimed by the apostles (such as repentance, baptism)
4. Just as faith was not explicitly mentioned in Acts 2, or repentance in Acts 16, but is fairly inferred from what we know from other passages, so also with baptism here
1. "There is, indeed, much to be said for the contention, independently advocated by theologians of varied schools, that in the New Testament faith and baptism are viewed as inseparables whenever the subject of Christian initiation is under discussion, so that if one is referred to, the other is presupposed, even if not mentioned." - G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism In The New Testament, p. 272
2. "Baptism and faith are but the outside and inside of the same thing" - James Denny (as quoted by Beasley-Murray, ibid.)
3. "Where baptism is spoken of faith is presumed, and where faith is spoken of baptism is included in the thought" - N. J. Engelsen (as quoted by Beasley-Murray, ibid.)

CONCLUSION

1. Whether Jew or Gentile, philosopher or simpleton, the gospel of Christ is for all...
1. Where we begin may vary with the spiritual condition of our audience
2. Where we end must always be the same:
1. Proclaiming the reality of sin, judgment, and the need for repentance
2. With Jesus as the only way to salvation!
2. When one becomes convicted of their sinful condition and their need for Jesus, the proper response should also be the same no matter who we are...
1. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God, who died for our sins and was raised from the dead, whom we are willing to confess before men
2. Repentance from sin
3. Baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of sins through His blood

One's reaction to the gospel will always be one of three ways:

• Rejection ("some mocked")
• Reluctance ("others said, we will hear you again on this matter")
• Reception ("some men joined him and believed")

In Athens, people such as Dionysius and Damaris exemplified the proper response; are you willing to imitate their example?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS" Two Households At Philippi (16:6-34) by Mark Copeland

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/conversions-in-acts/cia_07.html

"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

Two Households At Philippi (16:6-34)

INTRODUCTION

1. With "The Conversion Of Cornelius", we were introduced to an event that was not uncommon in the early church...
1. A situation where an entire family, or household, was converted
2. We have three similar cases recorded in Acts
1. The conversion of Lydia and her household - Ac 16:15
2. The conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household - Ac 16:33-34
3. The conversion of Crispus and his household - Ac 18:8
2. Such households likely consisted of both family and servants...
1. Cornelius sent two of his household servants to Peter - Ac 10:7
2. He had gathered his family as well as friends to hear Peter - Ac 10:24,33
-- Some wonder whether such families included infants as well, and if so, were they were baptized too
3. As the gospel spread to Europe, the first two examples of conversion involved "Two Households At Philippi"
1. With the conversion of Lydia - Ac 16:11-15
2. With the conversion of the Philippian Jailer - Ac 16:25-40

[As we continue our study in the book of Acts, we shall examine both of these examples in this lesson, to glean whatever we can about conversion, including the issue of "infant baptism".

Let's first consider...]

1. THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD
1. PRECIPITATED BY "THE MACEDONIAN CALL"...
1. Paul and his travel companions had been making their way through modern day Turkey, with the Spirit limiting their options - Ac 16:6-8
2. Paul has a vision of a man of Macedonian pleading, "Come over to Macedonia and help us" - Ac 16:9
3. Taking the vision as a sign that the Lord wanted them to go there, they travel to Philippi (a chief city of Macedonia) - Ac 16:10-12
2. LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD ARE BAPTIZED...
1. Paul and his companions go down to the riverside on the Sabbath - Ac 16:13
1. It was Paul's custom to find a synagogue and on the Sabbath to reason with Jews about Christ - cf. Ac 17:1-3
2. Evidently there were not that many Jews in Philippi, and no synagogue
3. But at least there were some women who met at the river to pray
2. Paul speaks to them, and Lydia heeded his word - Ac 16:14
1. She was evidently a successful business woman, yet one who worshipped God
1. Her name is Greek, perhaps a convert to Judaism
2. From Thyatira, she was seller of purple dye
2. The Lord "opened her heart" to heed the things spoken by Paul
1. In what way the Lord opened her heart is not stated
2. But she had "heard" what Paul was speaking (cf. Ac 16:13c,14a), and we know that "faith comes by hearing the word of God" - Ro 10:17
3. Through the gospel, then, one's heart can be opened to be receptive
3. She was willing "to heed the things spoken by Paul"
1. I.e., to do or obey whatever Paul had said
2. We can infer from what follows that it included baptism
3. Lydia and her household are baptized - Ac 16:15
3. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
1. Once again we see things gleaned from earlier examples of conversion
1. Very religious people are being receptive to the gospel - Ac 2,3,8,9,10
2. Baptism occurs immediately, after hearing just one lesson - Ac 2,8,10
2. In begging Paul and his companions to stay with her, she asks "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord..."
1. What evidence was there to determine whether she was faithful?
2. At the very least, there was her willingness to be baptized!
3. Did her "household" include infants?
1. Proponents of infant baptism often appeal to the example of a "household" being baptized as evidence of infant baptism in the early church
2. They say it is plausible to assume infants were present, but is that the case here?
1. Lydia was a businesswoman, with no mention of a husband
2. She was from Thyatira, possibly in Philippi only on business (though she did have a home)
3. We can just as easily assume that her household was made up of servants, or at the least, children old enough to travel
-- The burden of proof rests upon those seeking to support infant baptism, and the evidence in this case simply isn't there

[From the example of one who was evidently a truth-seeker, we now turn to the conversion of one who appears to have "stumbled" onto the gospel...]

2. THE CONVERSION OF THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER AND HIS HOUSEHOLD
1. PRECIPITATED BY THE ARREST OF PAUL AND SILAS...
1. Paul exorcises a spirit of divination from a slave girl - Ac 16:16-18
2. Her masters have Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned - Ac 16:19-24
2. THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER AND HIS HOUSEHOLD ARE BAPTIZED...
1. Events leading to the jailer's conversion - Ac 16:25-29
1. Paul and Silas are singing in prison at midnight, with others listening
2. An earthquake shakes loose the doors and everyone's chains
3. The jailer, fearing the prisoners escaped, is about to commit suicide
4. He is stopped by Paul, who reassures him that all the prisoners are present
5. Trembling, he falls down before Paul and Silas
2. The conversion of the jailer and his household - Ac 16:30-34
1. He asks, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved"
2. Paul responds, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household"
3. Paul then proceeds to speak the word of the Lord to him and those in his house
4. In the same hour of the night, the jailer washes the stripes of Paul and Silas, and is baptized along with all his family
5. He then brings Paul and Silas into his home, feeds them, and rejoices that he and his family have believed in God
3. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
1. This example of conversion does not teach salvation by "faith only"
1. It is common for some people to simply note verses 30-31
1. They offer this verse as containing the whole plan of salvation
2. Denying therefore the necessity of baptism
2. Of course, this verse says nothing about repentance, confessing Jesus, etc., which the Bible requires elsewhere - cf. Ac 3:19; 17:30; Ro 10:9-10
3. The context must be taken into consideration
1. Salvation requires faith, so it is natural that would be the first thing to tell someone who asks "What must I do to be saved?"
2. Without faith, one is not a suitable subject for baptism - cf. Ac 8:36-37
3. Having established the necessity of faith, Paul proceeded to speak "the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house." - Ac 16:32
1. Though not mentioned, would this not have included the need to repent?
2. What is mentioned, though, is that they were baptized immediately!
-- Clearly the "word of the Lord" included baptism - Mk 16:16
4. It is not until after he and his family were baptized, that Luke describes them as "having believed in God with all his household" - Ac 16:34
4. Taken out of context, one might use verses 30-31 to teach salvation does not involve baptism, but in the context it certainly appears to play a significant role!
2. This example of conversion reveals something about the "purpose" of baptism
1. Contrary to the doctrine of many churches, the purpose of baptism is not to make a public profession of one's faith
2. As we saw in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, baptism can occur when there is only the baptizer and the baptizee - Ac 8:36-38
3. In this case, a family is baptized in the wee hours of the morning (after midnight, in the same hour) - Ac 16:25,33
4. The purpose of baptism is hinted at by the fact...
1. It was done immediately, even in the pre-dawn hour
2. It was done whether in private or public
5. This example of conversion is consistent with the purpose expressed...
1. By Peter ("for the remission of sins") - Ac 2:36
2. By Ananias ("wash away your sins") - Ac 22:16
-- As such, you don't delay, and it doesn't matter if done in private!
3. This example of conversion provides no evidence of infant baptism
1. Again, some appeal to the mention of "household" to infer infants were included in the baptism
2. Yet the text states that:
1. Paul "spoke the word of the Lord...to all who were in his house", implying that all were able to listen and understand what was said - Ac 16:32
2. The jailer rejoiced, "having believed in God with all his household"; i.e., everyone believed, implying the ability of all to believe what they heard - Ac 16:34
3. There is nothing here to preclude what we have already concluded as necessary requirements to be a subject qualified for baptism:
1. Repentance - Ac 2:38
2. Whole-hearted faith - Ac 8:37
-- Both of which infants are incapable

CONCLUSION

1. With the conversion of "Two Households At Philippi", a wonderful church was born...
1. The church at Philippi, to which the epistle to the Philippians was written
2. A congregation that supported the apostle Paul and the preaching of the gospel throughout Macedonia and into Achaia - Php 1:3-5; 4:15-16
3. A congregation that was mindful of Paul even toward the end of his life, as he awaited trial in Rome - Php 4:10,14,17-18
-- Never underestimate the effect of the gospel in the life of a family!
2. The conversion of "Two Households At Philippi" are illustrative of what Jesus taught in two parables...
1. "The Hidden Treasure" (Mt 13:44) depicts one who stumbles onto the truth; the Philippian jailer was such a person
2. "The Pearl Of Great Price" (Mt 13:45-46) depicts one who is searching for the truth; Lydia of Thyatira was certainly seeking to please God
-- What is important to note is that the Lord knew such people existed at Philippi (cf. the "Macedonian Call"), and saw to it that they had an opportunity to hear the gospel

What kind of person are you? Whether you are one who has been on a life-long search for truth, or have simply stumbled across the gospel, are you willing to allow God to open your heart through the gospel and heed the word of the Lord?

Only God knows, but perhaps you will save not only yourself, but your whole family as well...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS" Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48; 11:1-18) by Mark Copeland

 

https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/conversions-in-acts/cia_06.html

"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48; 11:1-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. Up to this point, the gospel had been somewhat limited in its outreach...
1. It had spread throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria - Ac 9:31
2. But other than the Samaritans (who were half Jewish), it had gone only to the Jews
2. With the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household" the first Gentiles are saved...
1. A conversion noted not only because they were the first Gentiles
2. But also because of the miraculous events that precipitated the conversion
1. An angel appearing to Cornelius
2. Peter's vision, followed by the Spirit's instruction
3. The Spirit falling upon Cornelius, his family, and close friends
4. Cornelius and his household speaking in tongues
3. As in the case of Saul of Tarsus, we have more than just one account of the conversion...
1. There is Luke's description - Ac 10:1-48
2. There is Peter's description, as he is called to defend his actions - Ac 11:1-18
4. Important questions are raised as we consider the events of this conversion...
1. Exactly when did the Spirit fall upon Cornelius and his company?
2. What was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon them?
3. Were they saved when the Spirit came upon them, or later when they were baptized?

[These are some of the questions I intend to answer as we examine the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household". Since we have two accounts, let's consider them together as we start with...]

1. A HARMONY OF THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS AND HIS HOUSEHOLD
1. THE ANGEL APPEARS TO CORNELIUS...
1. Cornelius, a centurion, is a very religious man - Ac 10:1-2
2. The angel appears to him - Ac 10:3-6
1. With an announcement that his prayers and alms have been noticed by God
2. With instructions to send for Peter; please note:
1. The angel said, "He will tell you what you must do." - Ac 10:6
2. As Peter recounts it, "...who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved." - Ac 11:14
3. Cornelius then sends two servants and a devout soldier to Peter - Ac 10:7-8
2. PETER HAS A VISION...
1. While the three men are traveling toward Peter, he has a vision - Ac 10:9-16; 11:4-10
1. It involves a sheet descending from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures
2. A voice tells Peter to "kill and eat"
3. Peter objects, for he has never eaten anything common or unclean
4. The voice tells him, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
2. Three times the vision is repeated
3. THE SPIRIT TELLS PETER TO GO WITH THE MESSENGERS...
1. The men from Cornelius arrive as Peter contemplates the vision - Ac 10:17-18; 11:11
2. The Spirit tells Peter to go, "doubting nothing, for I have sent them" - Ac 10:19-20; 11:12
3. Peter receives the men and takes six with him as they go to Cornelius - Ac 10:21-23; 11:12
4. PETER ARRIVES AT CORNELIUS' HOUSE...
1. Cornelius has gathered his family and close friends - Ac 10:24
2. Peter deflects an attempt by Cornelius to worship him - Ac 10:25-26
3. Peter explains his presence a violation of Jewish custom, but now understands "I should not call any man common or unclean" - Ac 10:27-28
4. Asked by Peter to explain why he was called, Cornelius recounts the appearance and instructions of the angel - Ac 10:29-32; 11:13-14
5. Cornelius and his household were ready "to hear all things commanded you by God" - Ac 10:33
5. AS PETER BEGINS TO SPEAK, THE SPIRIT FALLS UPON THE LISTENERS...
1. At this point, we need to carefully note the actual sequence of events
2. Luke's record gives attention to the sermon first, and then the Spirit coming upon the Gentiles - cf. Ac 10:34-44
1. But Luke also says that "while Peter was still speaking... the Holy Spirit fell"
2. From this we do not exactly when the Spirit fell
3. It could have been at the beginning, in the middle, toward the end, of his sermon
3. Peter, however, explained what happened "in order from the beginning" - Ac 11:4
1. He describes the events as they happened
2. He says "as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them" - Ac 11:15
4. So we learn from Peter that the Spirit actually came upon the Gentiles at the BEGINNING of the sermon!
5. With the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles, they began speaking with tongues, which amazed Peter and his Jewish companions - Ac 10:45-46; cf. Ac 2:4,6,8,11
6. PETER'S SERMON TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF CORNELIUS...
1. He begins with a full perception that God shows no partiality - Ac 10:34-35
1. A perception started with the vision of the sheet and unclean beasts
2. A perception continued with the Spirit's instruction to go with the messengers
3. A perception made clear with the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles - Ac 11:15-17
2. Peter then proceeds to proclaim Jesus Christ - Ac 10:36-43
1. As Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power - Ac 10:36-38
2. Who was killed, but then raised from the dead and seen by eyewitnesses who knew Him well - Ac 10:39-41
3. Who has commanded the apostles to proclaim Him as ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead - Ac 10:42
4. Through Whom remission of sins is offered to those who believe - Ac 10:43
7. PETER COMMANDS THEM TO BE BAPTIZED...
1. How could anyone forbid water to those who had received the Spirit just as the apostles did? - Ac 10:47; cf. Ac 11:17-18
2. So Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord - Ac 10:48

[The events surrounding this conversion are certainly remarkable. They evidently were intended to convey important truths. As we endeavor to glean what those truths were, here are some...]

2. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THIS CONVERSION
1. RELIGIOUS PEOPLE NEED TO BE SAVED...
1. Many people believe that if you are religious, you will be saved
1. That if you go to church, do good, etc., you have a hope of heaven
2. That you will have earned the right to enter heaven
2. Yet, though Cornelius was a man who...
1. Was a devout man
2. Feared God with his whole family
3. Gave alms generously
4. Prayed to God always ...he still needed to be told "words by which you and all your household will be saved"
3. Clearly, being religious isn't what saves you (it's the blood of Christ!)
2. THE GOSPEL IS FOR ALL...
1. Peter perceived that God is no respecter of persons - Ac 10:34-35
2. Indeed, God desires that ALL men be saved - cf. Jn 3:16; 1 Ti 2:3-6; 2Pe 3:9
-- Therefore He has not predestined some to be saved and others lost!
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT FALLING...
1. Some presume that the purpose was to save Cornelius and his family
1. That therefore they were saved before obeying the command to be baptized
2. But the Spirit came upon them as Peter "began to speak", before they could hear words by which they could be saved! - cf. Ac 11:14-15
2. The purpose of the Spirit can be gleaned from the following:
1. The effect it had on the Jewish brethren who were present, and Peter's response - Ac 10:45-47
2. The reaction of the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem when Peter told them what happened - Ac 11:17-18
3. Peter's explanation at the council held later in Jerusalem - Ac 15:7-11
3. The purpose of the Spirit falling on them was therefore to show Jewish brethren...
1. That God was no respecter of persons - Ac 10:34-35
2. That God was willing to grant them opportunity to repent and have life - Ac 11:18
3. That Gentiles could be saved in the same way as Jews...
1. By faith, repentance, and baptism - Ac 15:9,11; cf. Ac 2:38 with Ac 10:48
2. Which faith comes through hearing the word of God - Ro 10:17
4. THE POINT AT WHICH CORNELIUS WAS SAVED...
1. Remember that Cornelius was told to send for Peter, who would tell him:
1. "what you must do." - Ac 10:6
2. "words by which you...shall be saved." - Ac 11:14
2. From this, and from what we have already seen in other conversions...
1. Cornelius was not saved until he heard the "words" (i.e., after the sermon)
2. Cornelius was not saved until he obeyed what he was told to do
3. What were the words he was told to do?
1. Certainly they were told to believe, as implied in Ac 10:43
2. Clearly they were told to be baptized, as commanded in Ac 10:48
3. Thus Cornelius and his household were not saved until they "believed and were baptized"! - cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 8:12,13

CONCLUSION

1. So while miraculous events surrounded the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household", their salvation was no different from what we have already seen...
1. They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ
2. They were taught to believe and be baptized
-- Thus they were saved "in the same manner" as all those previously
2. As Peter said at the council, it is "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" that both Gentiles and Jews are saved - cf. Ac 15:11
1. We are saved by grace, not works - cf. Ep 2:5,8; Tit 3:4-5
2. For it is not enough to be religious...
1. Who could be more religious than Cornelius?
2. Or even the 3000 at Pentecost, or the Ethiopian eunuch?
3. The grace of God which saves does require a response, however...
1. A response of faith - Ac 10:43
2. A faith in Jesus that comes by hearing the gospel - Ac 10:42
3. A faith which expresses itself in obedience - cf. He 5:9
1. E.g., repentance and baptism - cf. Ac 2:38; 3:19; 10:48
2. Not as works of merit, but as acts of faith by which one receives God's grace

Those of us who are not descended from Israel can rejoice in what God revealed with the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household". As properly concluded by the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem:

"...God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." (Ac 11:16)

Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

From the Heavens to the Heart and back again by Gary Rose

Memories of Long Ago

 

Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"

 

A Linux Distribution: Heavenward

 

I grew up loving music. My earliest memories are of "Sixteen Tons" and later on, a variety of Elvis Presley hits like "Wooden Heart" and "Love me Tender". Later on, I enjoyed songs from the Rock and Roll era like the Beatles and Three dog Night. I am not sure exactly when I was introduced to "Stairway to Heaven" but believe it or not, I think it wasn't until the 21st century. Anyway, I now think it that "Stairway to Heaven" is the greatest Rock and Roll song of all time.

 

There has been much controversy over "Stairway to Heaven's" true meaning, but I think its message is primarily aimed at greed, religious "buy your way" into heaven mentality and the "god" of reason within western culture. Why was it written?  I feel that it is a modern parable that has as its goal a message that will cause the hearers to genuinely seek God and not the western false gods of capitalism, reason and buying salvation with our contributions.

 

 The Bible says...

John 14 ( World  English  Bible )

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 

 

This verse alone is enough to show that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.

 As for me, I grew up on a farm and loved looking at the sky and eventually my thoughts turned to God and years later, I was baptized into Christ in 1977. Today, I use my computer to help others find their way to Heaven by means of this blog, my Composite Bible and Composite Bible Reports and a new Linux distribution which I call "Heavenward". To this very day, I am still thinking of Heaven and hope that eventually I will be granted entrance. 

 

 Hope to see you there!

Truth or a Lie? by Gary Rose

 

Like many people out there we have cable TV. This past weekend, we were deciding what to watch for primetime and decided on “Dr. Jeff, Rocky mountain vet”. The recording was a hour combination of two episodes and was labeled “new”. This identification was false; only one was new, the other one was a re-run. So, we watched the new one and deleted the recording afterward.

I don’t know about you, but I have grown very tired of being lied to. It seems that virtually everyone “spins” truth into anything they want it to be. This is especially true of the news: The right wing party distorts to the right view and the left modifies everything through the lens of “progressive-ism”. Oh, for the days of “Dragnet”, where Joe Friday used to say… “just the facts…”

I remember that in 1980 we were staying with Walt and Lillian Hewitt and I came across the “fact” that there were over 400 hundred denominations in the United States of America; today, that figure has mushroomed into the thousands. How did this come to pass?

The Bible says…

1 Timothy 4 ( World English Bible )

¹ But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

² through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

³ forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.

⁵ For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

And

1 John 4 ( WEB )

¹ Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

³ and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

⁵ They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

⁶ We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

There is TRUTH and then there is a LIE. To mix the two together makes the outcome a LIE. In other words, if you speak a half truth your words are really A WHOLE LIE. This is true for everything. If you twist the truth into an ideology or mix the truth with falsehood- YOU LIE. The picture at the top does it (The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor) , the cable company does it (with program identifications) and so do the religious denominations (by accepting creeds and doctrines apart from the Bible). Let God’s word speak for itself, do not change it or add to it for in doing so, YOU LIE. Today, lying has become normal in our culture, this is WRONG! With this in mind, I remember these words from the book of Jeremiah, which say…

Jeremiah 6 ( WEB )

¹⁶ Thus says Yahweh, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. ...

I pray to God that everyone who reads these words will listen to God and not someone or something else. May our country condemn falsehood in any form once again. God bless America! (with Truth, Justice and the American Way).

Jesus is the true light that enlightens every man. by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/light.html

Jesus is the true light that enlightens every man.

We need spiritual enlightenment.

Our society is bathed in artificial light and submerged in spiritual darkness. There is no lack of light except in the hearts of the people.

Two thousand years ago John the Baptizer condemned the spiritual darkness of his time. He warned people to repent.

Thousands turned away from sin to serve God. They were immersed in water, baptized, for the forgiveness of their sins (Mark 1:4).

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world” (John 1:6-9 RSV).

John the Baptizer was the forerunner of God’s Messiah, the Christ, who would bring spiritual enlightenment and forgiveness of sins to all mankind.

Jesus is the morning star,¹ who has come “to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79). “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4, 5 RSV).

To be enlightened spiritually, one must find the light, believe in the light, come to the light, put on the armor of light, and walk in the light.

Where can light be found?

Can you find spiritual light in a disco? I have never been to one, but I understand that they often have hypnotic flashing lights, and loud, deafening music. No, definitely not. Discos and dance halls are dens of darkness, places to avoid if you want spiritual enlightenment. The flashing lights blind you and the loud music deafens you.

When a former teacher of mine, Cecil T. Bailey, was a young man, worldly young people kept trying to get him to go to a dance hall. Finally he agreed to go, but he took his Bible along and sat in a corner reading his Bible. Soon, he was asked to leave!

Can you find spiritual light in the universities? Paul wrote: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Not much spiritual light can be found in the universities. Philosophy and theology are human endeavors of limited value, but they are not significant sources of spiritual enlightenment.

A professor asked his class, “How many of you believe in prayer?” My father and two girls raised their hands. The professor continued, “You three, pray then that this glass beaker will not break.” He dropped it and it broke. He then smirked, “How many still believe in prayer?” This time, only my father raised his hand. The professor said, “Well, Davison. How can you still believe in prayer?” My father replied, “I didn’t pray. Without God’s permission, your experiment was not valid.”

Can you find spiritual light in the traditional churches? Some light is there, but it is hidden under a basket of human dogmas, ecclesiastical politics and financial interests.

To the pious traditionalists² of His time, Jesus said: “Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:6-9).

To the religious liberals³ of His time, Jesus said: “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (Mark 12:24).

Can you find spiritual light in a sect? Some are attracted to sects because they require extreme devotion. A sect, however, is a human system based on social pressure, brain-washing and mind control, rather than spontaneous personal faith in God. A sect usually has one powerful leader. He is sometimes called ‘father’. He is often considered to be infallible, and members must always submit to his authority. A sect usually uses hierarchical, army-like control.

Jesus said: “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you” (Mark 10:42, 43).

All hierarchical religious systems are anti-Christian. Beware of people who try to dominate you in the name of religion. Your service to God must come from your heart. It may not be based on social pressure, coercion or hierarchical control.

Jesus said: “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matthew 23:8-10). God is our spiritual Father and we may not have any other father in a spiritual sense. Jesus is our spiritual Leader, and we may not have a spiritual guide, mentor or ‘discipler’ other than Christ.

Jesus Himself is our source of light. We must go directly to Him for spiritual enlightenment, and not allow the divine light to be obscured by traditions and denominations of human origin.

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Do we really want to find the light?

Although Jesus brought light, there is still much spiritual darkness because most people prefer darkness: “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21).

Someone who wants to hid his sin, shuns the light. To find the light we must admit our need for enlightenment.

But just finding the light is not enough.

We must believe in the Light.

Jesus is the light of the world, He is our God-given source of spiritual enlightenment. But we must believe in that light. Jesus said: “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:36). And: “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).

Many people stumble along in spiritual darkness because they do not believe in the light. Paul wrote: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).

But just believing in the light is also not enough.

We must come to the Light.

Many people have been deluded into thinking they can be saved by faith alone. It is not true: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” ... “For as the body without the spirit is dead; so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:24, 26).

Faith in the Light is the first step, but we must also come to the Light. This means that we must turn away from sin and dedicate our lives to God. This is called ‘repentance’ in the Scriptures.

“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).

Many people have a superficial, standoffish faith. They know exactly where the light is! But they keep their distance, to hide their sin. We must come to the Light so God’s word can correct our lives.

Jesus sent Paul to the nations “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).

On the basis of our faith in the Light, we must turn away from evil and come to the Light.

We must put on the armor of light.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12-14).

We must “put on the armor of light” and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” How do we put on Christ? “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26, 27). We put on the armor of light, we put on Christ, by being baptized into Christ.

This must be our own, personal decision. The so-called baptism of babies is contrary to the word of God.

Just as John the Baptizer told people to repent and be baptized, we too must repent, turn away from the works of darkness, come to the Light, and be baptized. Peter said: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

When we put on Christ in baptism, God removes us from darkness. We can then rejoice “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14).

We must walk in the light.

After finding the light, believing in the light, coming to the light, and putting on the armor of light, we must walk in the light.

Obviously, we may not walk in darkness. Paul warned: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10).

We must expose works of darkness.⁴ “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,⁵ but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light’” (Ephesians 5:11-14).

Jesus is our source of light. We learn about Him, we learn to be like Him, not via some tradition or some sect, but through the Scriptures: “We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

The Holy Scriptures are a beacon of light in a dark world. Through the Scriptures we learn about God. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7). God has called us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).⁶ Christians are “sons of light and sons of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).⁷

It is not easy to walk in the light, surrounded by a world of darkness. We shine as lights in the world: “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:14, 15).

To be a church of Christ, we must be a congregation of believers who have found the light, who believe in the light, who have come to the light, who have put on the armor of light, and who walk in the light.

By the grace of God, you can walk in the light. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, that He died for your sins, that He rose from the dead the third day, if you are willing to turn your back on the works of darkness and come to the Light of God, if you desire to put on the armor of light, to put on Christ in baptism, let us know, and we will help you.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise. Permission for reference use has been granted.

Endnotes:

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¹ Revelation 22:16.

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² The Pharisees.

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³ The Sadducees.

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⁴ “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

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⁵ “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

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⁶ “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9, 10).

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⁷ “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8).

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Published in The Old Paths Archive
http://www.oldpaths.com