And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed. Acts 4:3-4
Recommended Reading: ACTS 4:1-12 “ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
COMMENTS: False teachers and religions have polluted every generation since Adam. Satan has a predictable and effective way of using our natural weaknesses to tailor a religion to satisfy our need for God while also satisfying our sinful appetites. But does satan’s substitute really satisfy our need for God or is he brain washing us to think so?
Well, let’s look at the facts. Jesus came to give us a clear image and example of exactly what God is like, clear teachings and examples and stories so we can understand God’s expectations and instruction. He then died as our sacrifice so we can not only understand God but each have a personal relationship with Him. Then the Holy Spirit came to enable and empower each believer to achieve and sustain that relationship. Jesus came to be our sacrifice since no human was perfect enough to meet God’s requirements. Likewise, no human was qualified or able to teach and instruct sufficiently.
No, only God Himself could accomplish His goals and mission properly, so God came Himself in human form with human limits. But wait, didn’t Jesus pray to the Father. Well, can you see humans could not imagine nor comprehend a God with abilities our God has. Could we imagine a God being everywhere at the same time able to give full focus to each at the same time without diminished focus or ability to each? The Greek gods had limits. The Roman gods did too. The Islam god has more abilities but still demonstrates sinful flaws as described by Mohammed. If we look at followers of each, we see their god condoning evil behavior in them and even requiring such. When followers of God did sinful things, they were required to repent in order to restore fellowship with God.
The Islam god is mostly an angry judgmental god. The Jewish and Christian God is a God of forgiveness and mercy mostly and first and a God of judgment lastly.
The world would have us think all gods and religions are equal and comparable at best. The world would rather all religions be abandoned and outlawed, but can tolerate any religion more than Christianity.
We are living in a world where Christianity is increasingly viewed as a dangerous evil religion. Forgotten are all the hospitals and orphanages and universities and great democracies inspired by God. Forgotten are all the wars driven by evil destructive tyrants stopped by Christ’s intervention. Forgotten is how Christian values, and Christ’s very teachings, inspired equality of gender and race and people of poverty and wealth. Does Islam or Hindu or Buddhism or even modern humanism effectively do this or example this. Well, humanism tries the hardest to but mocks and belittles women who don’t think like they do.
It would be presumptuous for Christians to believe their religion is the only true religion, since every religion teaches that and believes that. Well Jesus taught that (John 14:6-13 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
The disciples did preach boldly and do miracles like Jesus did. Thousands were converted in the midst of terrible persecution while retaining joy and peace and confidence. Such dramatic evidence of a real relationship with God has been evident in believers ever since and is still evident today. Still today, some pretend to know Christ but their lives fail to demonstrate a Christ-like life. I invite you to judge for yourself. If you look, it will become obvious who is pretending and who has a real relationship with Christ. You will find both in every church and in every town, but the character and conduct will be contrasted. Sure even sincere believers are weak and fail at time, but their response and repentance will also be in contrast to denial and justifying nature of pretenders. Good deeds will be motivated by love for God and love for people instead of motivated by desire for praise and respect. Even Jesus spoke of such motives for good deeds.
It is true most will not be persuaded to follow Christ, but millions are and millions will be. Yet choice is given to everyone and God deeply desires and seeks all to but without forcing Himself on any. So much at stake and so many invited, but still the invitation can be taken or rejected. God doesn’t just invite once nor reject us when we fail to follow Him. Instead He invites us many times over our lifetime and picks us up and forgives us countless times when we fail Him after we do accept His invitation. But the longer and closer we are to Him, the more like Him we become and the more love we have for Him and for each other. That is what a loving relationship looks like. That is what a relationship with Christ is like. Every other religion is a religion of rules and does and don’t with promise of reward to the obedient. Christianity has laws or rules too but salvation comes with accepting Christ’s redemption and obedience is not our obligation but our response or expression of love and gratitude to Him for all He has done and does and is. That is the big difference that makes all the difference.
Look at examples of God’s hand at work in Old Testament and New Testament stories. Look at examples from your life and those you know. God often allows His people to endure suffering or hardship. Sometimes due to their own poor choices, but also due to poor choices of others and outside their control. But God doesn’t tarry forever. There is a “HOWEVER,,,” waiting when He rescues and justice and mercy prevail. AMEN? AMEN!
God will never allow any action against you that is not in accord with His will for you.
Jerry Bridges
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