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By The Grace of God - Acts 27
By The Grace of God - Acts 27
Facing what seemed to be sure death as their boat was hopelessly battered by a gigantic storm, Paul told the people that and angel of God had told him: “God has granted you all those who are sailing with you” (Acts 27:24). The word ‘granted’ is from the Greek word ‘charisma' which is defined: "to give or grant graciously and generously, with the implication of good will on the part of the giver—‘to give, to grant, to bestow generously” (Louw Nida).
Such salvation was a gift from God. Even BEFORE it was fully realized, God had given it. Being a gift, it was not ‘earned’, yet it did come with conditions that were to be met! Paul informed those who were trying to escape by using the smaller boat, which was carried on such ships: "Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved” (vs. 31).
Even with this condition we can see that the salvation of their lives was a gift from God. It also is plain that by refusing to obey this condition, they would NOT be saved. Fortunately for them, they did remain on the ship and they were saved alive.
God has promised people today that they may be saved spiritually. Such is truly a gift from God and in no way is it either deserved or earned. Yet, like with the situation in Acts 27, God has put conditions upon receiving such a gift.
There are not many such conditions, but there are SOME.
· We MUST believe / trust in God - Heb. 11:6
· We MUST believe / trust in Jesus - John 8:24;
· We MUST confess with our mouths - Rom. 10:9-10.
· We MUST repent of our sins – Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9; Acts 2:38
· We MUST be baptized in His name - Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16.
The issue is often presented that such conditions nullify the gift as a gift. If there are ANY conditions upon such gift, it is said to no longer be a gift. If one keeps such conditions, it is affirmed that they have then ‘earned’ the salvation.
I am glad that such reasoning did not prevail in Acts 27. What we know is that they ALL remained IN THE SHIP and they were all saved. We also know that such salvation was a gift of God.
Likewise on the day of Pentecost, when they were told: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”; “as many as received the word were baptized”. They didn’t quibble about such conditions making the gift of forgiveness a matter of ‘earning salvation’. They obeyed and were saved. (Acts 2:38-41).
Hugh DeLong
