Things New and Old: As many as were ordained to eternal life believed

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.

Sunday, March 16, 2025

As many as were ordained to eternal life believed

"... as many as..." not one more and not one less.

"... as many as..."

Acts 13:48
"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."

One IMPORTANT thing to note is the CONTEXT of this statement - describing "the Gentiles..." at a specific location and time.

Often this plain and obvious context is ignored. With one great leap of imagination, this great statement is turned into a context-less UNIVERSAL statement, ending up with the popular error, i.e. every single one ordained unto eternal life by God, will, without exception, hear, and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A truthful statement can be so easily turned into a fable.

"As many as" must be understood in its proper context.

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Daniel
Being ORDAINED - brought LIFE unto the ones who were ordained, and therefore belief, also.

Sing
"WERE ordained to eternal life." - that simple past and completed action took place in eternity. Each and every one ordained unto eternal life is regenerated directly/immediately by the direct and sovereign activity of God at God's own appointed and accepted time. These regenerated, in possession of eternal life, are capable of believing the truth of their salvation by be free and sovereign grace of God in Jesus Christ.

AS MANY of such among the Gentiles as are mentioned in Act 13:48 heard the gospel and believed it.