Paul relates to us how and why he was nearly killed by the Jewish leaders…
“Then it happened that after my return to Jerusalem, while I was at prayer in the Temple, unconscious of everything else, I saw him (Jesus), and he said to me. Make haste and leave Jerusalem at once, for they will not accept your testimony about me. And I said, But, Lord, they know how I have been through all the synagogues imprisoning and beating all those who believe in you. They know also that when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed I stood by, giving my approval - why, I was even holding in my arms the outer garments of those who killed him. But he said to me, Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles. They (Jewish leaders)had listened to him until he said this, but now they raised a great shout, Kill him, and rid the earth of such a man! He is not fit to live!" (Acts 22:17-21)
All was well and good until Paul told the Jews that Jesus had sent him to the Gentiles with the gospel of salvation. The Jews wanted such a guy killed for thinking the wretched “Gentile dogs” would also be saved.
Nothing much has changed over the past 2000 years. Those religions who think they have a monopoly on salvation get mad at anyone who reminds them that God has said He loves the whole world and intends to save everyone. They may not try to kill you, but they won't invite you to their Temples to teach the good news. Nevertheless, the salvation of all sinners will happen, for that is the gospel of grace. And we are to to teach it.
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. PRESCRIBE AND TEACH THESE THINGS..." (1 Timothy 1:15, 4:10-11)
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
Showing posts with label religious leaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious leaders. Show all posts
Sons of Gehenna
“You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive ... you go round the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever it may happen -- you make him a son of gehenna twofold more than yourselves” (Matthew 13:14; 23:15 YLT)
Jesus was talking to the most prominent religious leaders of his day. They just could not overcome their own traditions, even when the very image of God was standing in front of them. All their efforts in building up their religious institution was not making any difference for God or the lives of people. God would later inspire Paul to write Timothy and make sure he knew what he was to teach…
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)
You can pastor a church, become a missionary, pray without ceasing, study the bible with every waking hour, author a bestselling Christian book and build a new church on every block in every city of the world… but if you do not believe and teach what God says above...all your works may just become fuel for the fire…
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Jesus was talking to the most prominent religious leaders of his day. They just could not overcome their own traditions, even when the very image of God was standing in front of them. All their efforts in building up their religious institution was not making any difference for God or the lives of people. God would later inspire Paul to write Timothy and make sure he knew what he was to teach…
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)
You can pastor a church, become a missionary, pray without ceasing, study the bible with every waking hour, author a bestselling Christian book and build a new church on every block in every city of the world… but if you do not believe and teach what God says above...all your works may just become fuel for the fire…
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
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