Acts 19 and 20
Paul had a message from his Master and was faithful in giving it. His message was sixfold in its substance.
1. “The Kingdom of God” (19:8). The laws of the realm of grace are “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17), and this realm is entered by the new birth—John 3:5, 8. Life to live is obtained by receiving Christ.
“Righteousness” is doing right because it is the right thing to do. “Peace” is the calm of God which comes as the result of obedience, and “joy” is the plant that grows in the soil of holiness.
2. “That Way” (19:9, 23) indicates God’s method of doing things. His way is away from sin, according to His Word, personal faith in Christ, obeying His commands, following Christ, ceasing from self, and consecration to God.
3. “The Word of the Lord Jesus” (19:10). This is a concrete sentence denoting the sum total of His teaching. Ponder seven of those words: the “come” of invitation (Matt. 11:28), the “take” of identification (Matt. 11:29), the “ministered” of substitution (Matt. 20:28), the “love” of compassion (John 15:9), the “whatsoever” of prayer (John 14:13), the “peace” of bestowment (John 14:27), the promise of “power” (Acts 1:8), and the “again” of return (John 14:3).
4. “Repentance towards God” (20:21). Repentance is a change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit and shown in the action. The Prodigal not only said “I will arise,” but he did it. We may be sorry because we suffer the consequence of sin, and not be sorry for the sin which brought the consequences.
5. “Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (20:21). Faith is the act of the will in receiving Christ—John 1:12, the attitude of the life in resting in Christ—Rom. 1:5, R.V., and the response of the heart to the commands of the Lord. The trend of the will leads to the track in which we walk.
6. “The Gospel of the Grace of God” (20:24). A preacher once defined grace as “Receiving everything for nothing when we don’t deserve anything.” This is good news. See what a beautiful illustration is found in the parable of the prodigal son.
THIS IS A VERY POWERFUL QUICK STUDY. IT IS FILLED WITH LIFE CHANGING INFORMATION. PLEASE RECEIVE GREATLY.
PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
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