King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Chapters: Acts 9-10
Message: Neither Is There Salvation In Any Other
Hello My Friend,
Everytime I read about the conversion of Paul it reminds me of when I got saved. I could tell you exactly where I was, what I was doing, and even the words Jesus spoke to me that led to my conversion. I believe that Jesus pricks at the heart of His believers well before they get saved, and you will see why I believe that as we study the chapters for today. And there is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and knowing Him as your Saviour. Religion is great about telling us who Jesus is, it is lousy about telling us that we need to receive Him to get saved. And I will quote the most powerful words in the Bible, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
Paul (Saul) was a devout Jew, a Pharisee to be exact, and not only that he was training to be a member of the Sanhedrin, the counsel of the Jews. He was like every person who is devout in their religion, they stand by their faith and defend it at all costs. It is very hard for someone who was brought up in a religion to see anything other than what they are being taught, but there is no power greater than Christ, He will convert and use any soul, no matter what religion they were brought up in. Now, Paul witnessed Stephen being stoned, in fact, when he died he was right there are his feet, and supported his death, truly believing that it was Stephen who was at fault. On a mission, Paul set out to find and capture anyone who preached Christ.
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” – Acts 9:1-7.
“hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” Can you imagine what these men were thinking? People can actually hear the words of Jesus and never know that it is Him speaking. How? Because in order to hear Jesus, you must first fear God. You see, Paul feared God, he truly thought that he was doing the right thing by going after these lawbreakers, but what he did not realize was that everything he had been taught was a lie. I believe that Jesus pricked Paul’s heart first when he saw Stephen stoned to death. Would Paul suffer for what he had done to Christians through his ignorance? Yes, he would, and Jesus explains that to the man who would witness to Paul.
“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” – Acts 9:10-18.
“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” This really was not Jesus persecuting Paul for what he had done, this was Jesus keeping him a faithful witness until the day he died. Faithful, born again Christians do suffer for Christ’s name sake. Why? Their faith in Him. Let me tell you, when you truly understand what Christ did for you, and what He saves you from, besides hell, you will stand by Him. And the suffering you face for being a Christian, well, that keeps you faithful. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” – I Peter 4:14-16.
Now, Jesus said that He was going to use Paul to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel of Christ, but it was Peter that God showed that salvation was not only for the Jews, it was for all. It all began with a Roman commander named, Cornelius. The centurion and his family feared God, praying to Him, and following the Law, and as he was praying one day, God spoke to him. At the same time, He spoke to Peter, through a rather odd vision.
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.” – Acts 10:1-5,9-16.
“for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.” You see, the Jews, at one time were forbidden to eat certain food, like pork or shellfish, it was deemed as unclean and would defile the person if they ate unclean food. And as soon as God spoke to Peter, the men who were searching for him to bring him to Cornelius showed up. “Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 10:23,28,34-36,40,44-45.
“the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” By God showing Peter that he was now allowed to eat of those beasts because they were cleansed by their faith in Christ, He was showing him that anyone can be cleansed. Some Christian based religions believe that salvation is only for an elect few, some believe that works must accompany salvation or that one must be water baptized after being saved in order to receive the Holy Spirit, all of this is, of course untrue. Jesus did not die on the cross for one group of people, He died for all, whether we choose to believe that or not is our own choice, but that is the truth, period. Salvation is as easy as A, B, C. A; Admit you are a sinner. B; Believe that Christ died to save you from the punishment of death and hell for your sin. C; Confess to Christ that you believe, and accept that He alone can save you. All who believe in Christ, and ask Him to save them receive everlasting life. There is no other way to heaven, and whether you believe in God or not, there is no escape from the judgment faced for sin, including the sin of unbelief, but it is for those who do believe. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:7,8. Praise God!
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for willingly giving Yourself as payment for the debt I owe for my sin, thank You for pricking my heart the second You saw some faith in me. And thank You for revealing Yourself to me when You knew I was ready to understand and accept You as my Saviour .Lord, I do not know why You have chosen me to be one to reach the lost, but I do know that You are with me, guiding me along the way. Give me Your power, strength, and wisdom to know how to discern false doctrine, and let me know how to explain the truth to others, with boldness, having compassion on them as well. Keep me looking to You when I am tired and weary, and never let me lose sight of what You have truly done in my life. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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