Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
|
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
|
|
|
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
|
The conversion of some Antiochenes, residents of Antioch of Pisidia, Asia Minor (modern Turkey) is described in Acts 13:13-52. We read in verse 48 the relationship between conversion and God's election and predestination: "AND AS MANY AS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE BELIEVED."
Insincere believers of the truth are ill-at-ease with this text. This is true because they are ill-at-ease with the Biblical doctrine of God's sovereignty in election and predestination.
Some ignore this text, treating it as though it does not exist, and hoping they are never asked about it. Others even pervert this text so that it reads "And as many as believed were appointed to eternal life." They are averse not only to the sovereignty of God, but also to the divine inspiration and innerrancy of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16f). These are the untaught and unstable who twist Holy Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).
Sincere believers of the truth rejoice in this text. This is true because we acknowledge the inability of man in conversion, and we rejoice in God's sovereign grace therein.
Believers in the truth acknowledge that God calls upon all men everywhere to come to Christ in conversion. He invites, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!" (Isaiah 45:22). And "God commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
Believers in the truth acknowledge that no one of himself is able to come to Christ in conversion. Jesus Christ declares, "No one can come to Me" (John 6:44). Their inability to come to Jesus Christ lies not on God's part. He invites and commands all to come, and places no obstacle or hindrance in the way of any. Rather, sinners are of themselves unable to come to Christ because they themselves are unwilling to come. Jesus Christ makes this point perfectly clear when He says, "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:40; cp. Romans 3:11).
Believers in the truth acknowledge that God has nevertheless determined that a host of sinners will come to Christ in conversion. Jesus Christ declares, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). When Jesus here speaks of "All that the Father gives Me," He refers to those whom God has graciously and eternally chosen and predestined in Him for salvation (Ephesians 1:3-6).
Believers in the truth acknowledge that God has furthermore determined the means by which His chosen and predestined people will come to Jesus Christ in conversion. Jesus Christ declares that "no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father" (John 6:65; cp. v.44). Paul the apostle amplifies this truth to the converted: "God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel" (2 Thessalonians 2:13f).
What has heretofore been set forth as doctrinal truth is set forth as practical truth in our present text, Acts 13:48. Paul preached in Antioch the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of his hearers "believed" the gospel he preached and were thereby converted. Those who believed had been predestined by God to do so: "And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
This is the truth. Those who love the truth will rejoice in it. Those who despise the truth will ignore and pervert it.
Have you refused to believe the gospel and to come to Jesus Christ in conversion? If so, you have willfully and deliberately disobeyed God's invitation (Isaiah 45:22) and command (Acts 17:30). You will be judged and condemned for your rebellion (Acts 17:31). We therefore exhort you to believe -- now!
Have you believed the gospel and come to Jesus Christ in conversion? If so, rejoice in knowing that you were predestined and enabled by God to do so: "And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
|
|
|
|
|