Tag: Acts 16:28-32
Week 8–Day 1–The Authority to Serve
Scripture reading for February 16: Luke 24:45-49 “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the Promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
As first responders, we need power at several levels to enable us to do our job. First, we are given authority to respond by becoming members of a fire department, sheriff’s department, EMT unit, or Highway Patrol. We are given official identification as members of the department and assigned under a command structure where we are accountable to a senior leader. We must have physical strength to do the job of handling heavy equipment, power tools, and driving trucks and vehicles. We learn the knowledge of what to do in various emergency situations and how to work as part of a team and maintain good relationships.
Jesus Christ equipped those willing to follow Him in each area with the authority and strength and understanding to do their job. He also taught them the importance of working together in teamwork and accountability. A major part of this empowerment was the promised Gift of God the Father, the Holy Spirit. The original disciples were told by the resurrected Christ that they must wait in Jerusalem for this ‘Promise’ and that they would be clothed with power from God’s throne itself. The purpose of this authority was to empower them to become witnesses who could effectively proclaim the Gospel message of forgiveness of sin through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
To be an effective member of a team of responders, we must understand authority. All of us are under God’s authority and those He has placed in authority over us. We voluntarily act in obedience to those over us and the framework of directives defining our mission. We are thankful for our leadership and support them fully.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for empowering those responding to You with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for those in authority that You have placed where You want. Teach us all to respect authority and work together to accomplish the mission. Amen.
Household salvation is a blessing!
Scripture reading for November 11: Acts 16-18
One of the prayers that I have prayed for my family is that they would all be saved and walk with the Lord during their time on earth. God has been faithful and I am very thankful. All my children are serving the Lord and have a personal walk with Him. I am trusting God for salvation of all grandchildren as well. A question that comes up from reading today’s passage about the Philippian jailer getting saved with his whole household, is this: does the Bible promise salvation to each person’s entire family? Can I apply this story and the verse about the jailer and his house responding to the Gospel to claim my family?
“But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”. . . . “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” . . “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” They spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:28-33
I believe that this record does inspire faith for us to believe God for our entire family to be saved. With faith in God, nothing is impossible. We should ask for the salvation of our families and households and stand in faith in God’s Word and mercy. However, when looking at the rest of Scripture, I feel that it doesn’t promise that all will be saved. Each person must choose to repent and believe on the Lord for himself. God doesn’t make anyone believe! However, our prayers keep the door open and invite God to send laborers and continue to draw the person to saving grace.
God doesn’t want anyone to be lost! (1st Timothy 2:4-5) He has done everything necessary to provide salvation for every person. He draws each person by the Holy Spirit. Yet, each person has a free will and the ability to choose his own way or God’s way. If we could be made to be saved, all would be saved! Jesus taught that the way of salvation was narrow and few were on that narrow path. The way of destruction is broad and many are on it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Each person in a household must choose to repent and follow Jesus.
Prayer is a powerful thing! We must always pray and live by faith for our loved ones! Take time to pray that your household will be saved and that the Lord will draw them to Himself! We don’t want to miss out because we don’t ask!