BasicChristian.info

Basic Christian
Acts 13:43-52 Now when the [Jewish synagogue] (redeemed - Jewish redemption) congregation was [concluded for
the Saturday] broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to
them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath day [Saturday] came almost the whole
city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake
against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed
bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God [for salvation] should first have been spoken to you [Jews the
redeemed of God]: but seeing ye put it [Salvation] from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life
[here and now], lo, *we turn to the Gentiles. *For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a
light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for *salvation [eternal life] unto the ends of the earth. *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. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and
honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled
them [evicted] out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. - Note: What is being offered to the Jews is
salvation. The [observant obedient - Synagogue] Jews are already redeemed (in the presence of God) and for the
redeemed Jews salvation comes *after death. Jesus is offering Salvation [eternal life] here and now. The Gentiles
[us]do not have redemption as the observant Jews do, some Gentiles are (saved) in that their conscience was a
witness to them that there is a God but they were saved (also after death) not directly knowing God and not being in
the presence of God as the redeemed Jews are. Gentiles who become Christians receive instantly both the
Redemption (without sin in the presence of God) and Salvation (eternal life). Where the Jews have Jewish
redemption and eventually (after death) eternal life (Salvation) a redeemed Jew can become a Christian and then
also receive Salvation already having redemption but the Gentiles coming into the Christian Church only have the
option of Salvation and with Christian Salvation comes redemption.
{Basic Christian: blog Bible Study} PAUL [the Apostle] has been called
the greatest Christian who ever lived
PAUL has been called the greatest Christian who ever lived. He also suffered greatly for the name of Jesus Christ.
When Paul defended his calling to the Church, he defined suffering as a major proof of his spiritual office. 'I have
worked much harder,' he insisted, 'been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to
death again and again' (2 Corinthians 11:23). Strength in Weakness: But Paul's many trials did not deter him from
living the Christian life. Neither did they restrict his preaching the gospel. To the contrary, suffering seemed to
impel Paul to even greater spiritual service. The apostle Paul said something remarkable about his adversities: 'For
Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak,
then I am strong' (2 Corinthians 12:10). We shouldn't, however, think of Paul as bigger than life or an indestructible
superman. There were times when the tremendous hardships he confronted were far beyond his human endurance.
After suffering one rather malicious incident of persecution, Paul admitted he and his companions 'despaired even
of life' (2 Corinthians 1:8). But Paul had faith in the living God to see him trough his trial. 'On him we have set our
hope,' wrote Paul, 'that he will continue to deliver us' (verse 10). But as Paul's life demonstrates, God usually
delivers us out of troubles we are already in, not necessarily from troubles before they begin. Yet, as we must, Paul
was able to rise above all his many afflictions. How did he do it? And how can we surmount our trials and troubles?
Paul certainly didn't overcome by his own strength or will. He never took personal credit for being able to bear his
painfully heavy cross. He attributed his spiritual muscle to its true source - Jesus Christ. Paul said: 'I can do
everything through him who gives me strength' (Philippians 4:13). He exulted, not in his own will and courage, but
in the power of Christ in him. By his example we know that we, too, have access to the same spiritual power and
courage.
{Basic Christian: blog Bible Study} Acts 15 - The 1st Church Council
takes place about 52 A.D. at the Church in Jerusalem - The 1st Church
http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_History_Study_Complete.rss[1/16/2012 7:38:03 AM]