The Apostles' Doctrine: Grace
| Spiry Tee
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were revolutionaries. Born and bred under the law in Jewish towns and villages, these young men, after following, hearing, and seeing Jesus minister, became change agents of in ways unprecedented in Israel.
Their message was clear, no one can be justified by the law, for through the law is the knowledge and consciousness of sin. The average Jew could not understand this new doctrine. It was the gospel of God's grace lavished on all who believe in Jesus.
Some Jews who turned to Christ found it difficult to leave their Judaic rituals and customs and as a resulted tried to influence the Gentiles to live like Jews. But the apostles stood their ground and exalted the grace of God above circumcision and many other Jewish rites.
We must never forsake or forget the emphasis of the apostles, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV). This is the New Testament's Magna Carter. We are saved by grace and we shall be perfected by grace.
Why did they emphasize grace? Because grace creates a firmament for people to be led by the Spirit. The law was unbending and could not lift a finger to help those under it, but the Spirit desires personal relationship and after guiding you a certain direction, He takes responsibility for it and helps you fulfill the will of God. It's a big difference. So under grace we have the Spirit who gives life. And since Jesus came that the sheep might have life, grace must be preached without mixing it with law for the law kills but the Spirit gives life.
SPEAK LIFE.
I was saved by grace through faith. I am led by the Spirit and not guided by the law. Therefore the life of God flows unhindered in me in the name of Jesus.
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were revolutionaries. Born and bred under the law in Jewish towns and villages, these young men, after following, hearing, and seeing Jesus minister, became change agents of in ways unprecedented in Israel.
Their message was clear, no one can be justified by the law, for through the law is the knowledge and consciousness of sin. The average Jew could not understand this new doctrine. It was the gospel of God's grace lavished on all who believe in Jesus.
Some Jews who turned to Christ found it difficult to leave their Judaic rituals and customs and as a resulted tried to influence the Gentiles to live like Jews. But the apostles stood their ground and exalted the grace of God above circumcision and many other Jewish rites.
We must never forsake or forget the emphasis of the apostles, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV). This is the New Testament's Magna Carter. We are saved by grace and we shall be perfected by grace.
Why did they emphasize grace? Because grace creates a firmament for people to be led by the Spirit. The law was unbending and could not lift a finger to help those under it, but the Spirit desires personal relationship and after guiding you a certain direction, He takes responsibility for it and helps you fulfill the will of God. It's a big difference. So under grace we have the Spirit who gives life. And since Jesus came that the sheep might have life, grace must be preached without mixing it with law for the law kills but the Spirit gives life.
SPEAK LIFE.
I was saved by grace through faith. I am led by the Spirit and not guided by the law. Therefore the life of God flows unhindered in me in the name of Jesus.
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