When Peter explained God’s will in the face of criticism from the circumcision party of the Jewish Christians, he recounted: “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘Salvation’
September 22, 2008
FORMATIVE STATEMENT TWO ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
The story of Cornelius as recorded by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, provides several formative statements by Peter for the foundational teaching of the church on acceptance and the Holy Spirit. The lesson that Peter learned, recorded in Acts 10:34-35, is that God shows no partiality, but anyone anywhere who fears Him and [...]
March 18, 2008
The Blow and Blessing of the Cross
Jews looking to Jesus as the hope of Israel faltered when Jesus spoke of his death (John 12:20-36). When the week began, Jesus’ disciples and other Jews praised Jesus as the King or Messiah (Luke 19:28-45). Thus, talk of death confused and concerned them. Jesus had said if I be lifted up, [...]
December 11, 2007
Calling Upon the Name
The wonderful story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to Jesus as the Messiah is briefly recorded three times in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9, 22, and 26). The former persecutor of the followers of Jesus is largely known in the history of Christianity as the Apostle Paul. Recalling his [...]
