I didn’t look back, but I think this is the first sermon by Paul recorded in the Bible. This must have been an amazing event. Paul was a Jewish theologian, a well trained Pharisee, and a persecutor of Christians. Now, of all things, he is preaching a gospel message. What a testimony to God’s grace and power!
His message reminds me a lot of Stephen’s before his stoning. He used the Old Testament to preach Christ. He pointed out that everything pointed to Christ. Then he laid it in their laps – whoever believes is justified and the law can justify no one. Forgiveness is only found in Christ.
It also reminds me of the fact that those who are delivered from the worst situations are the most thankful. All of his life he has tried to live by the law – as far as possible he did everything right. It is hard to even imagine the joy is his life when the impact of God’s grace really hit him.
And why nor? What a message – forgiveness of sins and justification by faith in Christ. Freedom from the law, freedom from works, freedom from slavery to a religious system.
Paul says that there is justification from all things. If this is true, and it is, than we can rejoice in the freedom from guilt for sins of he past. I am justified from ALL things! There is nothing left on my sin account for I have been declared justified before God!
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