Post by Bo/Mine Sweeper on Aug 2, 2015 6:31:54 GMT -6
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 (KJB)
Let me begin this explanation by declaring that Acts is not a doctrinal book like Romans to Philemon, Paul's epistles. In other words, Acts 17:30 is not to be viewed like the gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 where we read of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, which must be believed in the heart (spiritual center, or soul) of each man, woman or child who sees their need of a Savior for their own, personal, sins and that the cross, burial and resurrection are what showed us that Jesus is the only way, truth and life to be saved by grace, through faith.
What the book of Acts is in the Bible is a transitional book between the four gospels (which were and are books meant for and to the nation of Israel) that details the history of the early church and (specifically important to us) the life of Paul from his pre-salvation period up to the time that he broke off from the jews and began to preach grace salvation to the gentiles in chapter 28. To put it in a different way, it details the acts (actions/history-what they were doing) of the apostles, beginning with the 12 and ending with Paul.
Now, back to 17:30, specifically. In the first part of this short and (seemingly) 'super-simple' verse we see that times are mentioned. What times? Well, proceeding backwards from verse 29 all the way to the first verse of Chapter 17 we see that it's all about gentiles and jews who (up to that time) had worshipped 'god' as they thought he was, but in ignorance of his true nature and desire to be known, personally. God is even said to be 'winking' (the only time he and that action are found together, in scripture) at them, before Paul came. At this critical juncture he says 'but now' (a very important transitional term) he is no longer going to do so, but rather he's issuing a new command, that they repent. Does this mean that we're saved by 'keeping this (rather strange-sounding, with the wink) command'? No, what we need to understand is what that final word, repent, means. It does NOT mean 'stop sinning' or 'save yourself' or anything similar. Repent involves a change of mind about our beliefs concerning God, his nature and salvation. How do we know what God is all about and what he wishes 'all men, everywhere' to do (believe, actually) today? The answer (as always) is found in his great love letter to us, called the Bible.
Begin reading (prepared to believe, as you read) in the book of Romans and proceed all the way to Philemon (13 small books) to find out. These are the instructions of God to both jew and (particularly) gentiles, <(you!) today, in 2015. Grace, mercy and peace to all who do so!
More info: www.teapartycommunity.com/rdiskey/info/
The 13 books are:
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
To the reader(s):
If you wish to comment or discuss this further, (signup needed) you should do so in the Spiritual Discussions area, above. This thread is locked, due to it being introductory and informational in nature.
Acts 17:30 (KJB)
Let me begin this explanation by declaring that Acts is not a doctrinal book like Romans to Philemon, Paul's epistles. In other words, Acts 17:30 is not to be viewed like the gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 where we read of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, which must be believed in the heart (spiritual center, or soul) of each man, woman or child who sees their need of a Savior for their own, personal, sins and that the cross, burial and resurrection are what showed us that Jesus is the only way, truth and life to be saved by grace, through faith.
What the book of Acts is in the Bible is a transitional book between the four gospels (which were and are books meant for and to the nation of Israel) that details the history of the early church and (specifically important to us) the life of Paul from his pre-salvation period up to the time that he broke off from the jews and began to preach grace salvation to the gentiles in chapter 28. To put it in a different way, it details the acts (actions/history-what they were doing) of the apostles, beginning with the 12 and ending with Paul.
Now, back to 17:30, specifically. In the first part of this short and (seemingly) 'super-simple' verse we see that times are mentioned. What times? Well, proceeding backwards from verse 29 all the way to the first verse of Chapter 17 we see that it's all about gentiles and jews who (up to that time) had worshipped 'god' as they thought he was, but in ignorance of his true nature and desire to be known, personally. God is even said to be 'winking' (the only time he and that action are found together, in scripture) at them, before Paul came. At this critical juncture he says 'but now' (a very important transitional term) he is no longer going to do so, but rather he's issuing a new command, that they repent. Does this mean that we're saved by 'keeping this (rather strange-sounding, with the wink) command'? No, what we need to understand is what that final word, repent, means. It does NOT mean 'stop sinning' or 'save yourself' or anything similar. Repent involves a change of mind about our beliefs concerning God, his nature and salvation. How do we know what God is all about and what he wishes 'all men, everywhere' to do (believe, actually) today? The answer (as always) is found in his great love letter to us, called the Bible.
Begin reading (prepared to believe, as you read) in the book of Romans and proceed all the way to Philemon (13 small books) to find out. These are the instructions of God to both jew and (particularly) gentiles, <(you!) today, in 2015. Grace, mercy and peace to all who do so!
More info: www.teapartycommunity.com/rdiskey/info/
The 13 books are:
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
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To the reader(s):
If you wish to comment or discuss this further, (signup needed) you should do so in the Spiritual Discussions area, above. This thread is locked, due to it being introductory and informational in nature.