Things New and Old: "... Them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

"... Them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Act 26

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Q. To whom did the risen Lord Jesus Christ send Paul?

A. To them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ Jesus, to those whom God has DEFINITELY sanctified, i.e. separated from the state of sin and death to that state of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.

[You are NOT sanctified by your faith in Jesus Christ; you are DEFINITIVELY, i.e., once for all, not requiring or admitting repetition nor improvement, sanctified by the faith that is in Christ Jesus, i.e. by the faithfulness that is in Jesus Christ. ]

Only them which are definitively sanctified by the faith that is in Christ Jesus can receive an inheritance among them.

Only the eyes of them which are sanctified by the faith that is in Christ Jesus can be opened by the gospel ministry; only the mind of such can be enlightened by the gospel truth concerning their eternal salvation by the free and sovereign grace of God in Jesus Christ.

When their eyes are opened to the truth of their salvation by God's free grace in Jesus Christ, they are turned from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge; they are saved from the darkness of ignorance unto the light and knowledge of salvation and righteousness.

Satan is the father of lies; when they that are sanctified by the faith of Christ are taught the truth of God, they are delivered from the power of Satan, and unto the power of God.

Only the very misguided believe that Paul was sent forth to offer salvation to them that are without salvation, i.e. still death in trespasses and sins! Common sense tells us that such a notion is just plain foolishness. But common sense is a rare virtue today. Prejudice trumps common sense.