Welcome to the first issue of Today’s Alternative for 2008. Happy New Year to all. We take up the lessons today in Acts 18. As we saw in Acts 17, the apostle Paul had established Christ’s church at Athens, Greece. Later he went to the city of Corinth. He was successful in establishing the church there also but only after having much opposition from the Jews again.
If we should think it strange that the Jews, who had been under God’s law given through Moses, had such opposition to Paul, let us remember the ones who did so were those who did not know or understand the law God had given them. Further, many were unconcerned with following it.
It is the same among a multitude of professed Christians today. Many do not know or understand the law of God that He gave the world through Christ. Further, many who profess Christianity have no concern for following it.
When the day of judgment comes they, along with the Jews who did not accept Christ as the Messiah and obey His law, will suffer the same consequences; the condemnation of God and the fires of Hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9).
In Corinth, Paul found a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla (Acts 18:2). They were among the converts to Christ. The Jews who knew the Scriptures and the prophecies concerning the Messiah and who had honest and good hearts recognized the truth Paul preached and were converted to Christ (Luke 8:5-15; Acts 2:41). It will be the word of Christ by which all will be judged in the last day (John 12:48).
As was Paul’s practice, he went to the Jewish Synagogue every Sabbath (Saturday) and persuaded both Jews and Greeks as he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. When Silas and Timothy came to Corinth, Paul was “compelled by the Holy Spirit” again to “testify to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ,” the Messiah of the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 18:5).
The Jews at Corinth not only opposed Paul but also blasphemed, or spoke impiously and in an evil way. Paul shook his garments (a symbol of rejection) and said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles” (Those who are not Jews) (Acts 18:6).
Today, all who having been taught of God and Christ and reject Christ and His law, and all who profess to accept Christ but do not have any concern for following His law will at the day of Judgment face the consequences of God’s condemnation and the fires of Hell.
I plead with you; do not let 2008 go a day further in such a condition. Hear, understand and obey the word of God and receive His blessings. That is God’s desire for you. That is my prayer for you. Visit the church of Christ in your neighborhood and begin your journey of seeking God’s blessings.
Questions You May Answer for your spiritual growth:
1. What will be the consequences of not knowing, understanding and following the law of God given through Christ?
2. What disposition of heart did those who accepted Christ have?
3. By what will we be judged on the last day?