Atos 24
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 24
Phillips wrote, “He took it at its face value, as the Word of God to be believed implicitly, interpreted literally, and obeyed utterly.” (Exploring Acts) Believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets - In other words Paul believers in the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures (the OT was all they had at this time). He believes the Word of God!
Atos 24
Phillips - What were a few fleeting years of sin and self-indulgence compared with the eternity of woe that awaited the unrepentant? The great white throne lay ahead (Read Rev 20:11-15+, Hebrews 9:27+). There was no escape, except by way of Calvary (Heb 2:3+). They might be able to flout and manipulate, scorn or evade the judgment of men, but there awaited them the judgment of God. There remained the Supreme Court of the universe and Jesus, Who must be faced—if not as Savior, then certainly as Judge (Jn 5:22, 2 Ti 4:1+).” (Exploring Acts) Luke's record of Paul's "topics" calls to mind Jesus' words regarding the Holy Spirit... “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. (Jn 16:8-16) I like Larkin's comment that "The couple, indeed, need to understand God's standard, their accountability and the reality of a final reckoning. In brief, they must face the bad news of their lost spiritual condition before they can grasp and embrace the good news." (Ibid) THOUGHT - In an age when the majority view all moral values as relative, the Christian witness needs to find a way to speak of God's righteousness again in such a way that it raises a standard for all. In a time when sin is viewed as alternative lifestyles, psychosocial dysfunctions, addictions or even disease, the gospel witness needs to find a way to speak meaningfully of responsible moral self-control. In an age of anxiety when humans know "something is wrong," though they have rejected the moral categories--absolutes, sin and guilt--that would enable them to know "someone is wrong," the Christian witness must learn how to declare a judgment to come in terms that make sense. Unless this happens, repentance will be impossible and the salvation rescue will appear unnecessary and hence irrelevant. (Larkin)