SALVATION

“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43 NKJV).

In context, this verse comes from Peter’s message to Cornelius, the Roman Centurion who wanted to know about the Gospel. This verse is packed with Gospel truths. Thus, we want to note the proof of salvation, the provider of salvation, the prerequisite for salvation, the people for salvation, and the provision in salvation.

Proof of salvation - “To Him all the prophets witness.” There has always been plenty of proof for verifying the Gospel message. Here we have the testimony of the prophets that is emphasized as verifying proof of the Lord Jesus and the Gospel.

Provider of salvation - “Him . . . through his name.” This verse makes it plain that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Provider of salvation. It was His death and resurrection that made salvation possible. No one gets saved apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Reject Christ and there is no offer of salvation to sinful man.

Prerequisite for salvation - “Believes.” Salvation is through faith (cf. Eph. 2:8). This is great news, and we can be glad that salvation is not through fame or fortune. Anyone can have faith, but not many have fame or fortune. Faith eliminates works and says the only prerequisite for salvation is that the sinner believes in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

People for salvation - “Whosoever.” This word includes the entire human race. The apostle Peter made it plain to Cornelius that salvation was not limited to just the Jews but that the Gentiles were included, too. And “whosoever” includes every sinner no matter how great their sin.

Provision in salvation - “Remission of sins.” The word remission means to be dismissed, to release or forgive. In regard to salvation, it means that when we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, God will dismiss the case of sin against us. He will release us from the judgment of our sins. He will forgive all our sins. This provision in salvation is great news. Salvation is the greatest blessing that can happen to anyone.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God’s salvation does not come in response to a changed life. A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free gift!”

Timothy Keller (1950 - 2023)

American Christian Pastor, Author, Theologian, and Christian Apologist

Word Study

Feed (Give)

In 1 Cor. 13:3 we read, “And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (NASB).

“Feed (Give)” is the Greek word psōmízō (ψωμίζω= pso-mid'-zo). It means to feed with morsels. The idea is to give away mouthful by mouthful or to feed by putting little bits of food into the mouth, like a bird feeding its babies. In classical Greek the word psōmizō means feed or nourish. It can also mean to hand-feed or to bait a trap. In the Septuagint, psōmizō literally mean cause to eat, or to feed. In the New Testament, psōmízō also carries the idea of feeding or giving. Here in 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul is emphasizing the importance of love, and states in v.3 that although one might “give (psōmízō)” away all his wealth to feed the poor, if he does not have love it would account for nothing, because it would be done with the wrong motive.

Did You Know…

Both Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for marrying a Cushite or Ethiopian woman, but since Miriam is listed first, it is likely that she was the instigator (Num. 12:1).

Bible Quiz

According to Ezekiel, what did the Israelites wear to show that they were in mourning or sad concerning something?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

According to the Book of James, why was Rahab the harlot considered “justified (righteous)?” “She received the messengers (spies) and sent them out another way” (Jam. 2:25; cf. Josh. 2:1-21).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

His Character - Merciful (Ex. 33:19; Luke 1:72)

"Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Ex. 33:19NJKV).

In context, Moses asked to see the glory of God which involves seeing the Person of God (cf. v. 18). Most requests are for the material and physical; but this one is for the spiritual. It was not out of curiosity but as a confirmation of the promise (cf. v. 14). The request is to know more about God. And so, God promised Moses a partial granting of his petition. All of His “goodness” would be made to pass before Moses. God’s anger was now past, and the threats were set aside. He was ready to reveal His great mercy and compassion toward those who, though unworthy, were to experience His grace. The proclamation of the name of the Lord was a proclamation of mercy, grace, love, and faithfulness (cf. 34:6). It is also important to note that grace and mercy are not to be confused; they have a close relationship but are different. Mercy offers relief from punishment and grace offers pardon from the crime. Because of God’s mercy, we do not get what we deserve, but because of God’s grace, we do get what we don’t deserve. When we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will know God’s grace and mercy. Regarding the Lord Jesus, the apostle Paul wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9)

Did You Know – Christian History

Aelred of Rievaulx was born in the year 1110, in Hexham, Northumbria, England. He was an English Cistercian monk and writer who served as Abbot of Rievaulx.

Aelred’s early education was probably spent at the cathedral school at Durham. Aelred spent several years at the court of King David I of Scotland in Roxburgh, rising to the rank of steward or Master of the Household. While this was an influential position, Aelred longed for the religious life. He chose to become a Cistercian monk. The Cistercians (order of Cistercians) were a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, as well as the contributions of the highly influential Bernard of Clairvaux, known as the Latin Rule. However, his abilities made him master even there. In 1146, he was elected abbot of Rievaulx. This made him the superior of a community of at least 150 monks, and head of all the Cistercian abbots in England.

Aelred was a man of strong determination, for, despite illness, he traveled often: hearing cases and attending conferences. On top of this, he wrote extensively. When his old friend, King David I of Scotland, died, he penned an account of his life. Aelred also wrote the life of King Edward the Confessor, an act prompted by the translation of Edward’s remains to the rebuilt Westminster Chapel.

Aelred wrote popular devotional and ascetic works. These are often compared with the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux. He also reworked Cicero’s essay “On Friendship,” extending the Roman’s teachings with concepts of Christian brotherly love. And, of course, he preached. Many of his sermons still exist. Evidently, his words had the power to stir souls. When Aelred undertook a missionary trip to Galloway, its Pictish King was so moved by the preacher’s words that he became a monk! Aelred died January 12, 1167, which became his feast day.

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A Little Humor

During the Sunday morning service, the choir director lost his voice. The pastor said, “Well, at least now we know what a joyful noise doesn’t sound like.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Anyone can bake bread. The Lord Jesus is the Bread of Life!”