King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Preaching The Gospel
Date: Sunday November 13, 2011
Chapters: Acts 11-13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-13

Hello My Friend,

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?..Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” -Romans 2:1-4,9-13.

There is a difference between judging people and making good judgment of people, we are all sinners, no matter how much we try we all have our quirks and need to improve something in our lives. Therefore, we are to judge no one, meaning to form a personal opinion of them based on their circumstances, but we can make good judgment, meaning to offer discernment or truth based on their circumstances according to the Word of God. That truth is none other than the Gospel, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Word spread quickly that the Gospel of the Jews was being preached to the Gentiles and the Jews did not take it too well. The truth is that there is only one Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and all who believe and receive the Gospel are saved, but the Jews thought that since they were God's chosen that only they were to get the opportunity to be saved. God used Peter to introduce the Gospel to the Gentiles, when approached by the Jews as to why he was telling those heathens about Jesus he responded only as the Holy Spirit directed him to respond by giving his testimony.

“And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” - Acts 11:11-18.

Perhaps the most effective way to reach a person with the Gospel is to give your own testimony, who else is better qualified to show a wonderful life of Christ than one that has been converted and changed their lives through Him. The Holy Spirit is the only one who enables us to preach the Gospel in a way that is effective, those who do receive it, no matter what they have done in the past or future, are saved. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” -Romans 10:12,13.

Of course, not everyone is going to be glad to receive Christ, it's not even that they do not believe in the Gospel, it's that they do not want Christ in their lives. When Herod the king got word that Gentiles were being saved and converted away from his heathen religion he wanted to quickly put a stop to Peter and the other apostles, but he was not alone, the unconverted Jews wanted to stop them as well. Having already captured and killed James, Herod set out to kill Peter.

“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.” - Acts 12:3-10.

We are all here to serve a purpose and we will remain here on earth until we have fulfilled that purpose. Many people were killed preaching Jesus, yet many escaped death as well. Only God knows why it was time for some to come home through such horrific circumstances, regardless, we need to trust God in every decision He makes, including our lives. Paul once said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” We should all have that confidence, those who received the Gospel get to join Jesus in heaven and also be apart of the resurrection when He returns to reign as King. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” -I Thessalonians 4:14-17.

It was important for Peter and the rest of the apostles to preach the Gospel to the Jews first, of course, they knew that they would reject it, but it was necessary in order for them to become the light or guide to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas explains this to both Jews and Gentiles. “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” -Acts 13:46-49.

The Word of God is our evidence to God's truth and while we do not need the Bible to prove that God is God or Jesus is the Christ of the Jews and Gentiles, it helps us know exactly what God wants us to know and learn. He gave us the Bible so we can know of Him and what He believes and expects from us. While we cannot force anyone to receive Christ we can offer His gift to all. God does not want anyone to miss the opportunity to receive His Son and He will make sure all have that opportunity, whether or not they receive the gift is up to them. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:16-18.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
There is nothing more comforting to know that Your Son gives life to all who believe in Him. I am a witness to the amazing transformation taking place by receiving Christ into my soul. Lord, let me be a witness and a testimony to those who do not know You and even those who have fallen away from You. Shine through me, give me peace, comfort, and hope through my struggles and keep showing me that You are always with me. I love You Lord, and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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