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| We are so thankful to have the company of saints with us for lunch at home after the worship services. Thankful for Wifey Alice's labour of love to show hospitality. |
July
11, 2022
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Some
simple questions...please help. The questions are at the end.
The
risen Lord of glory said to Saul of Tarsus -
Acts
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.
Let's
notice a few things:
1.
The Lord’s Specific Purpose for Apprehending Saul
a.
The Lord declared the purpose of apprehending Saul in his journey of
destruction…
-
negatively: not to execute judgment upon Saul for all the harm and destruction
he has caused to His saints. See v9-11. What incredible mercy; the Lord
withholding the just and deserved vengeance upon Saul.
-
positively: "... to make thee a minister and a witness, both of those
things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear
unto thee."
-
What incredible and abounding grace – showering blessings that he ill-deserved.
b.
The Apostle's work, as a minister/servant, was to be a witness:
-
it was to bear witness of what he had seen of the glorified Christ; and what
Christ, through His Spirit will yet show to him.
2.
The Lord’s Specific Task Description for Paul
a.
As a servant sent by the risen Lord, his task through his ministry, are
-
To open their eyes:
-
To turn them from darkness to light: cf Luke 1:79
-
To turn them from the power of Satan unto God:
-
Whose eyes can be enlightened by the ministry of the gospel?
-
Who can be turned from darkness to light by the ministry of the gospel?
-
Who can be turned from the power of Satan unto God by the ministry of the
gospel?
-
How is the gospel ministry instrumental in accomplishing these?
b.
The purposes of these tasks are also specified:
-
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and
-
that they may receive an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith
that is in me.
-
What must they do to receive the forgiveness of sins?
-
Who can do what to experience the forgiveness of sins?
-
How does Paul's ministry facilitate these two blessings?
3.
The Lord's Specific People to Whom He Sent Paul
a.
“among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
-
Verse 18 speaks of one and the same group of people - unto "whom" the
Lord of glory is sending Paul.
-
The pronouns '...their... them... they... them' all refer to one and the
same group of people… these are among them which "ARE sanctified by faith
that is in Christ."
-
Who are those who ARE sanctified by faith that is in Christ?
-
What is it to be sanctified by faith that is in Christ?
-
What is the faith that is in Christ?
Give
your considered thoughts as you enjoy the virtual lunch with us.
---------
p/s
we are so thankful to have the company of saints with us for lunch at home after
the worship services. Thankful for Wifey Alice's labour of love to show
hospitality.
