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Acts 28
Acts 28
With today we finish our reading of Acts. So much material / history but so good for a foundational understanding of the beginning and growth of ‘the Way’. As Luke began, with this reading we can understand what THEY understood about Jesus and discipleship. While a lot of the issues they faced are similar, there are ways in which things are different. Our job is to understand first what the revelation made by the apostles and prophets to them meant to them. THEN, we must discern what the PRINCIPLE in these various records are. After noting the differences between their situation and setting and ours, only then can we begin to make application to our lives.
There will be differences even in our situations as life and location change. The issues our brethren in China, Iran, Eastern Europe face are a bit different that what we face here in 21st century America. But then, having now preached for 50 years, I have witnessed a definte change in our situation. The very moral culture has had a radical change. Things that were understood by the general public as wrong are now considered not only acceptable but are being forced upon people as THE NORM. So in one way we our situation is closer in some aspects to 1st century discipleship in the Roman Empire than it was years ago.
Yet, the basic problem of sin and the place of God’s word in our lives is still the same. The gospel has not change, Jesus is still Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and His word will yet judge us on the day of the great resurrection. My best advice – read God’s revelation over and over, believe it, and walk according to its directions. OK, now we are going to read Romans!
Hugh DeLong
