“Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The council asks, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7). This verse makes it clear that the authority Peter used to heal a lame man came from Christ. The only way to salvation is through Jesus. The name of Christ has power and authority. Jesus brings deliverance from sin and helps bring us spotless and redeemed before God. God’s salvation keeps us safe and grants us eternal life. This gives very specific descriptions that identify Jesus as the Messiah the Jews have been waiting for. Amen

God has created us and it is He who gives us wisdom. In the Old Testament King Solomon asked for wisdom and God honored His request. (Cited: 1 Kings 4:29). “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5”. We should seek after Wisdom. Christ is with us and through Him all things can be overcome even the challenges of life. The God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. Wisdom comes from God. For every good thing that we have received or will receive comes from God. For, if we listen to the message of the Lord we will live life more abundantly and will overcome all things through the power of God. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11″. That showed that they are wise as we can gain wisdom by reading God”s Word. Amen

1 John 1:9 teaches us that God, “…is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:8” We can have full confidence that God will forgive our past, present and future sins through Jesus Christ. While we should do our best to live a Christian life we all mess up and God’s grace covers us.  “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)” Then the next verse says, By no means. God hates the sin but loves the sinner. When we struggle we can take pleasure in the fact that God is right with us fighting beside us. After Jesus went back up to Heaven He left the Holy Spirit to be with us, so that God would never leave or forsake us. Jesus said it in the Gospel of Matthew, “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20”  When we are in need God asks us to make our requests to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)” It’s God’s will for us to trust in Him, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:15).” How, thankful we should be for God’s faithfulness, love and mercy we deserved punishment, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). May we all have faith, trust in Him and follow Him. Amen

The Gospel begins with Jesus being born of the Virgin Mary. Christ came to earth as a perfect man to die for our sins.  Christ is the only way to Heaven and He gives eternal life to all that believe. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12”. When we accept Jesus and believe in Him we are saved. Salvation is a free gift from God, “Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:9”. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16”. Amen

“Romans 16:17: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

We should avoid those that will cause division in the Body of Christ and that teach false doctrine. Keeping the church right before God is essential to God’s plan and purpose for the church. If a church doesn’t have unity it is prideful and tends to drift away from the true gospel of God. False doctrine is common in this age and is to be avoided. Salvation is a free gift through Christ and any doctrine that teaches otherwise should not be followed. Amen

“Romans 15:4: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The scriptures given to us by God should be used as our guide in life. The Bible was given for us back then and is valid today. No matter the challenges we go through or how deep our sin is, God is reaching out to us. God is giving us hope for a better and brighter tomorrow. The hope and assurance that God is with us was given when the Lord sent Jesus to atone for us. Amen

“Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”

As Christians we are to avoid tension between other believers that cause questions in our faith. Most issues are found directly in the Bible. However, differences of opinion between various Christians groups is alive and real in this age. We should honor the freedom we have in Christ. Paul also makes it clear that we have been set free from having to perfectly keep the law of Moses. We still should not participate in sin. The Bible is clear on the important issues to avoid drunkenness, immorality, and jealousy (Romans 13:13). Scripture is very clear that we should not engage in things that cause questions and do our best to be on the same page with other believers. In these times not everything is fully known; this applies to issues which are also not clearly spelled out in Scripture, such as consuming alcohol (Romans 14:21) or watching movies, or listening to certain types of music. Amen

Romans 13:8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

“In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12”

The Bible teaches us that the most important aspect of the law is to love everyone and that it is the fulfillment of the law. When we honor others we honor God. The concept of not owing anyone anything is more that we should not let any debt remain unpaid. We are to repay our debts in a timely fashion. We should not be dependent on others for borrowing. However, Paul’s focus is not mostly on money but the responsibility for Christians to love other people. He seems to imply that love for others is a debt we will be required to continually do. We will never be finished with loving people. There is always more love to give. Paul here is focusing on what Jesus said was most important which is to love God and others. A Christlike love will naturally motivate us to keep all the other relationship commands in the law. Amen

“Romans 12:3: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

When we accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins we receive the mercy of God. This should change the way we live our lives. We should be willing to take the hard road when needed because God loves us. The view that we have of who we are should not be something to boast about. God has given us a measure of faith. And, we know from God’s word that faith is needed to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6”. “Romans 12:10: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” We should put others before ourselves and have love for everyone. Amen

“Romans 11:6: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

When God looks upon Christians he sees the blood of Christ making them right before God. The fact that God has given us grace through faith in Jesus Christ saves us. Since salvation is by grace we know that it could not be through performing works. Salvation is of grace and Christ’s paid the full price for our sins. Salvation through faith vs. works are contrary so it can’t be both faith and works. When we do good works we glorify God but they don’t save us. We should not look to the law for salvation but to Jesus Christ. Christ changes the hearts of those that believe in Him. We should marvel at God and praise Him. God is beyond our understanding yet we all need the Savior Jesus Christ to save us from eternal ruin. We owe a debt we can’t pay only Christ can. Amen