August 14, 2020, Acts cont...

Only God can do it!

He believed. 

He was convinced by the miracle and the message. 

Acts 13 continued 

In Pisidian Antioch

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak. 

Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said, Fellow Israelite's and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper  during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. 

Paul follows the same pattern as Peter, Stephen, and Philip...each one introduces God as the God who lead Israel out of Egypt. 

I think it is important because it is giving honor to God and his mighty acts. 

It is opening the door for God to be who he is.

Supporting his purpose.

Why is this important?

Only GOD could lead them out of the hand of Pharaoh; we may read as if it was a common thing but their enemies were powerful and only God could deliver them. That is why it is mentioned so much. It was a big deal. He open the red sea, he drown Pharaoh's army. He brought them out like that on purpose, the point was for them to believe  him but even after he brought them out some still struggle to grasp and believe in God. 

They speak of his mighty acts and it is bringing honor to God and his purpose and goals. 

Its a beautiful thing to talk about the wonders of God. It also nice when people desire to know them. 

Moving down to 36

Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 

Therefore, my friends, I want to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

Look, scoffers, 

wonder and perish, 

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would never believe, 

even if someone told you. 

The scoffer says; I don't believe this, I don't believe that, the people are making up things, they are doing this or that? Its  okay to question things but don't be a fool because there are things only God can do. If you struggle to believe its called rejection of eternal life. If a man or woman heals the sick, feeds the hungry, show grace and mercy, I can believe because they are serving God's purpose. The person may not be consistent with my ideas of who they should be and that's not the point. The point and goal is..... do they serve God's purpose. Jesus went about doing good and some of the religious sectors continued to question who he was. Who knows why? Maybe it was to produce doubt in others, maybe they really did not believe.... but at the end of the day; a lot of people did believe and sometimes we have to let the scoffers scoff.  

Have a great day!