Posts by Yong Joo Park:
From darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God
Acts 26:15-18
15 ‘Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
‘ “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied. 16 “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Paul was persecuting Christians (Acts 26:9-11). On a journey, Paul saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around him and his companions (Acts 26:12). They all fell to the ground and Paul heard a voice saying “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14)
When Paul asked “Who are you, Lord” (15a), Jesus answered him. See v15b ~ 18.
‘ “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied. 16 “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Let us pay attention to the last part of the above paragraph, which is v17b ~ 18.
I am sending you to them
- to open their eyes
- to turn them
- from darkness to light
- from the power of Satan to God
So that they may receive
- forgiveness of sins
- a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me
Here, let us note “from the power of Satan to God”. Before saved by Jesus, people in the world are under the power of Satan.
Similar verses are in 2 Timothy 2:25-16.
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Before saved by Jesus, people in the world are in the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
They need ‘rescue’.
This reality is also written in 1 John 5:19.
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition, Ac 26:15–18). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
God vindicates His servants
Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-17 Keyword: Isaiah 54:17 17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord. It is good to learn the New Testament first if you are […]
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son has made Him known
See John 1:18. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. I. No one has ever seen God (18a) Moses closely encountered God, but was not allowed to see His face, but only His back (Exodus […]
What spirit do you have? How to accept Jesus?
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The importance of ‘listening to’ Jesus
‘Hearing’ is prerequisite of ‘believing’ (Romans 10:17). I. It is God’s will (command) for us to listen to Jesus. See Matthew 17:5. 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ […]
The Importance of ‘knowing’ truth
I. Truth sets us free from sin. See John 8:31-32. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ This freedom is freedom from slavery to sin (John 8:34-36). The Condition […]
Defining ‘Truth’
Today, let us define ‘Truth’ in John 1:17b (“grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”) The Reality as opposed to a shadow The law is mere a shadow of the reality, but truth is the reality (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1) [2]. What reveals and assures what grace does Grace always forgives and gives, and truth […]
Grace
Today, let us study on ‘Grace’ in John 1:17b (“grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”) I. Definition Grace is a free gift from God. The gift is ‘righteousness’ (precisely, the Righteousness of God, as opposed to self-righteousness). The Righteousness of God is the ticket to the Paradise. So, the gift is also ‘salvation’. II. […]
Grace and Truth through Jesus Christ
John 1:17b grace and truth came through Jesus Christ I. The Law gave them the shadow but not the reality (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1) The law was ‘given’ (17a). The Jews relied on the law and boasted in God (Romans 2:17). Even though they had the law, they didn’t know grace and truth. Their hearts were […]
The Word became flesh (Part 3a)
III. Grace and Truth (16, 17) See v16. 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. This emphasizes ‘grace’ – grace upon grace, abundant grace. See v17. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. “For the law was given through Moses” […]
