Article for May 5, 2024
Acts 10:39–41 39And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
It is a sad day when the world keeps trying to undo God and His message to all believers. It is a sadder day when we lose believers to the world’s illusions. People, Hollywood is not magical and does not have any answers to life. Hollywood falls for their own illusions because they live within them every day.
Don’t just blame Hollywood. There are many politicians of all kinds and parties that are leading people through illusions based on lies and self-seeking power. And there are many people who thrive on the illusion of others they think are important instead of looking toward the truth.
The truth, there were eyewitnesses who saw the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Eyewitnesses who spoke with and ate with Jesus after His crucifixion. (John 21:10) These true eyewitnesses even ate a breakfast prepared by Jesus. We have much to believe because we have a God who provides the bread of life to all who believe Jesus is the Christ.
Of course, if you do not believe in the inspired word of God then you should have a hard time believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you do not believe in God’s word in part, then you might have a hard time knowing which part to believe. Do you believe Jesus died for your sin and was buried behind a heavy stone of which He escaped through His resurrection?
Many people, even self-acclaimed Christians, find it hard to believe in something they cannot see. Yet they believe in magic, a higher being, space aliens, and many parallel worlds that co-exist in many frequencies that create different dimensions. Many want to put God in the human box and command God’s abilities.
However, God’s word is true, it does not contradict itself, and it is good for wisdom and really not that hard to understand. So why can’t we trust our God at His Word given to us for our spiritual wisdom, salvation, and understanding. Because we think we are in control of our future. The only control we really have is to refuse God’s gifts and plunge ourselves into the bottomless pit.
Acts 10:42–43 42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
We have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. Jesus chose to die so that we can receive forgiveness for all our sin. This forgiveness from Christ Jesus leads to eternal life. And this eternal life is a new life that has none of the down sides of this present life we live. This eternal life is an everlasting relationship with our Lord and Savior.
To say we are being saved in His Name is to say that it is the will of God to save us. To say it is the will of God to save us is to say that we are saved because of the love our God has for us. God loves us all and no matter how pathetic we feel about ourselves, God still loves us. Listen God loves us to life.
What I do not understand is that if we have a God who loves us to life, why would we want to recreate Him? God is perfect just as He is. God is perfect because He made Himself to be perfect. Just because God does not fit in the box we try to fit Him in doesn’t mean He is not perfect. Trust me when I say we do not know what perfect is except that we learn about our Lord Jesus Christ who is perfect.
Acts 10:44–45 44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Ok, do we have a conundrum? No, maybe we don’t fully understand how God works. These people have not yet been baptized, yet they received the Holy Spirit! We teach that you receive the Holy Spirit when you are baptized. We know that John the Baptist said that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
However, we make it sound as if you cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless you are baptized. Well, we forget who is in control. That is, God choses when and who should receive the Holy Spirit. You see it is the Holy Spirit who leads us to believe. (Titus 3:5). There is much we think we know yet there is much we still do not understand.
Acts 10:46–48 46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
They have received the Holy Spirit and now they are being baptized. Do not misjudge our God for it is His doing that we who believe are being saved every day. Not that an unbeliever cannot be saved as they too may become believers through the Holy Spirit working in them. Listening and hearing God’s word enlightens the Holy Spirit in us, and God’s love draws us into salvation for His Name’s sake.
John 15:16–17 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
God chose you because Jesus Christ justified that you are worthy of His love and worthy to be saved. God chose us and put His Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us which makes us holy in the eyes of God. Let not Jesus’ death be in vain. Know you are saved for the love of God. We are each God’s own child who and we await our own resurrection into eternal life. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis A. May