THE NECESSITY OF UNDERSTANDING THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS

Part 9: Jesus: The Fulfillment of The Old Covenant (Acts 13: 16)

Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. Beloved we are grateful for another time in space to give thanks to our Father God realizing that no man in the flesh is our spiritual Father except God. We thus also recognize the divinity of Christ Jesus our Savior and the promised Messiah who sent back the Holy Spirit to sustain us as we sojourn here on this earth. For this Triune we forever thank God.

Peace and Love, Carl A. Patton a willing slave of Almighty God writing for the FreedomJournal September 10, 2007 in the year of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth

At the 13the Chapter of Acts we see that the church is spreading throughout the known world. We suggest that you read and digest all 52 verses found here. Especially note verses 13-52, where Paul preaches to the Jews in Antioch at Pisidia.

John Mark had left Paul and Barnabas however we have no clear explanation for his departure. Antioch of Pisidia was not established like Antioch of Syria where the church was flourishing. However Antioch of Pisidia was very accessible and had a large Jewish population.

During their missionary journeys Paul and his fellow saints whenever they entered a new town they went to the synagogue to witness for Christ. Although the Jews knew the Bible and faithfully studied the scriptures they (most) did not accept Christ as the promised Messiah. Sadly today many claim they accept Christ but deny Him when they reject the resurrection by practicing Cremation and giving Tithes to the church and practice an aspect of giving and atoning for sin that Christ died to remove.

Our primary verse is verse 16. We will begin here and cite several other verses as we move through the bracket of scriptures Acts 13: 13-52.

Acts 13: 16: “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, men of Israel, and ye that fear God give audience.”

As Paul stands and begins to preach he gets the attention of the audience by a hand gesture. They were called God-fears because they (Jews and Gentiles) had assembled to hear God’s word.

Meanwhile Paul’s message begins with the realization that God had a Covenant with Israel. This was accepted, as all Jews were proud to be chosen by God. However Paul notes that the Gospel of Christ had fulfilled that Covenant. But many of the Jews rejected this message. (Also see Acts 10: 2. Here we find that Cornelius although a Gentile who lived under the Patriarchal dispensation was a God fearing man who prayed without ceasing).

Now follow us to verses 26 and 27.

Acts 13: 26-27: “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fearth God, to you is the Word of this salvation sent.

Paul began with the relationship between God and the Jews during the Old Covenant. He then taught them about Christ.

13: 27: “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.”

As Paul preached (taught) in the synagogue it was obvious that the Jewish leaders did not know Jesus nor were they aware of the prophecies about Jesus noted in scripture. This still exists today among those that still claim to know Christ. However these Jews condemned Him and fulfilled the prophecies foretold about the condemnation of Christ. (For additional scriptures on this point see Luke 23: 34; Acts 3: 17 and I Corinthians 2:8)

Now go to verse 46 where we find an additional word that reinforces the word found at verse 26.

13: 46: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” (Also see Deuteronomy 32: 21; Romans 1: 16 and 10: 19).

The Gospel Paul notes first came to the Jews. However it was later intended for the whole world. So Paul appeals to the Jews on this principle. However he was rejected. Therefore he considered them unworthy of everlasting life. Thus he referred to the events noted in Acts 10 as to the prominence of the Gentiles and all that accept Christ.

Now for our concluding verse found at verse 48.

13: 48: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Also see Romans 8: 29-30; Ephesians 1: 4-5, 11 and I Peter 1: 2).

“Gentiles heard” means that Paul turned to them with the word of God. For the record there are no contradictions in the Bible. Also God has not ordained/ordered that anyone will be either saved are lost by any predestined decree. But that all that will may be saved. (See a primary reference to this point at II Peter 3: 9).

Therefore “as many as believed were ordained to eternal life.” (See John 15: 16 for additional reference on ordain).

Cont. Part 10: All That Accept Christ Are The Seed of Abraham (Romans 4: 17).

Covenants Page

Return to Un Published Manuscript Page

carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net