Lesson 2764

(Lesson 2764)(07-19-19) Acts 13:42-52
    “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”

    The first part of today’s quote relates how the Gentiles reached out to and Paul and Barnabus desiring to hear about the wonderful saving grace of God through Jesus Christ.
    Paul then explained to the Jews that after they had rejected Jesus, God had also given eternal salvation over to the Gentiles.
    It is important to note that Paul clearly states the purpose of his message, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.”
    It is also important to note that Paul made NO mention of water baptism as being a part of God’s divine plan of salvation.~
NOTE: I will again tell you why I so oftern and devoutly point out that water baptism has nothing to do with salvation. That is because the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians, believe that in some manner, they must be baptized in water in order to be saved. We should all do everything within our power to teach truth to that horrible wrong. Far too many are being condemned to hell each day because their faith is in water baptism and not in the sin remitting blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ, NOT faith in water baptism.