SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 4/4/2018
9:12 AM
My Worship Time Focus: The
Development
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Acts
15:30-35
Message of the
verses: “30 So when they were sent
away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together,
they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened
the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they
were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 [[But
it seemed good to Silas to remain there.]] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in
Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.”
It was truly a good day when Barnabas, Paul, Silas and
Judas came to Antioch to read the letter to the church who were probably anciently
waiting to find out what the Apostles at Jerusalem had decided.
John MacArthur writes that the delegation evoked four
responses from the assembled believers. “The
first was celebration: ‘the rejoiced.’”
The rejoiced because salvation was by grace alone and not any works that
go along with becoming a true believer in Jesus Christ. “The second response was consolation, ‘because
of’ the letter’s ‘encouragement.’” These
Gentile believers need not fear that their salvation was not genuine, as legalism
does produce great fear, and also guilt and pride, while on the other hand
grace along brings comfort and hope. “A
third response was confirmation, as ‘Judas and Silas, also being prophets
themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.’ The two leaders from Jerusalem added their
own heartening words to those of the letter.
Then, ‘after they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren
in peace to those who had sent them out’ and returned to Jerusalem. Legalism produces neither confirmation nor
edification; it is ‘the word of His grace’ that is ‘able to build’ up believers
(Acts 20:32). The final response was
continuation. Verse 34 is not in the
best manuscripts, but verse 35 notes that ‘Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch,
teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of the Lord.’” So Paul and Barnabas actually picked up from
where they were before this discussion about adding something to salvation came
up, and they continue to preach and teach the believers at Antioch.
John MacArthur concludes:
“The apostolic church thus
survived the greatest challenge it had yet faced and established the doctrine
of salvation by grace. Satan’s attempt
to inject heretical teaching was thwarted.
So also was his attempt to split the church along racial and cultural
lines. With the vitally important truth
about salvation safeguarded, the church experienced greater days of ministry
than ever before.
“There has always been, and
always will be, only one way to be saved.
No one expressed that truth any clearer than the apostle Paul when he
penned the familiar words, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith; and
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one
should boast’ (Eph. 2:8-9).”
There is no greater truth found and for that I am
thankful, for if I had to do it on my own I truly would fail as everyone in the
world also would fail.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
question: “Gold” (1 Kings 7:48).
Today’s Bible
question: “How did Zacchaeus promise to
repay those from whom he had taken dishonestly?”
Answer in our next SD.
4/4/2018 9:32 AM
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