Atos 16
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 16
Cole - Paul did not answer with something to do, but rather with someone to believe in. Believing is not a matter of human effort, but rather of ceasing from our efforts and relying on God alone. As Paul wrote (Ro 4:4-5), “Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Saving faith, then, is a matter of ceasing from my own efforts to save myself, and trusting in Jesus Christ to save me. What must I do? - Is not this the question many ask? What works must I do? How good must I be? And every world religion and cult provides the answer which in one form or another is summed up in the answer you must do "good works" in order to merit heaven (or whatever they refer to as "heaven"). Only Christianity says the work of salvation has already been done by Jesus, the Savior of all mankind but to receive "credit" for His sacrifice in your place, you must receive His free gift by grace through faith (see notes Romans 10:9; 10:10). Trust in the Messiah's finished work on Calvary "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved."! That is the answer to all of mankind's deepest need and most profound question. Note the Greek verb must (dei) which speaks of absolute (and in context divine) necessity. The jailer wanted the definitive answer. He wanted to know "the way" not "a way" like the lost world which is tragically and vainly searching for God via manifold, ofttimes bizarre, humanly contrived religious teachings and exercises. Harry
Atos 16
Cole: Baptism is the way to confess that you have trusted in Christ. It is an act of obedience to Jesus Christ, showing that He has cleansed you from sin and that you are identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. It signifies a break from your former life of sin, and a commitment to follow Jesus as your Lord. c. (3) (Acts 16:34a) Fellowship/Hospitality with the Saints “And he brought them into his house and set food before them,” Food and fellowship always linked closely together Bock: Now that they are no longer in prison, God has brought about a different kind of connection between them. Those who were enemies and separated are immediately brought together. Thus the scene also illustrates the reconciliation that the gospel brings at the human level. (4) (Acts 16:34b) Abundant Joy “and rejoiced greatly, Joy should characterize our lives as believers – not moaning and groaning on Monday like the world Quite a dramatic change in temperament – had been suicidal earlier – not rejoicing greatly Acts 16:34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. when : Lu 5:29 19:6 Php 4:17 1Th 4:9,10 Philemon 1:7 Jas 2:14-17 1Jn 3:18 and rejoiced : Acts 16:27-29 Acts 2:46 Acts 8:39 Isa 12:1-3 55:12 Isa 57:17,18 Isa 58:7-11 Isa 61:10 Lu 15:22-25,32 Ro 5:2,11 Ro 15:13 Ga 5:22 Php 4:4 1Pe 1:6-8 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CSB He brought them up into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household. (Act 16:34 CSB) GENUINE SALVATION BRINGS SPIRIT STIMULATED JOY Paul later described a similar response in the new converts at Thessalonica writing that You also became imitators of us (Paul, Silas, Timothy - 1 Th 1:1) and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (1 Th 1:6+) Earlier in Acts we read When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39+ context Acts 8:30-38) In Romans Paul writes Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro 15:13+) Robertson on brought them into (up) says this suggests his house may have been "above the prison. The baptism apparently took place in the pool or tank in which he bathed Paul and Silas (De Wette) or the rectangular basin (impluvium) in the court for receiving the rain or even in a swimming pool or bath (kolumbēthra) found within the walls of the prison (Kuinoel).