Availability of God’s Salvation

Acts 10:34-48

• God’s Salvation is not based on your national identity or good works  (vv.34-35).
• Favoritism means: to regard with partiality; to favor a person because of looks, position, or circumstances. Deuteronomy 10:17; Galatians 3:27-28
• Fear means: to stand in awe and reverence before God.
• God’s Salvation centers on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1; Romans 3:23; James 2:10; Romans 1:18
• God took the initiative in sending the Good News.  v.36 – “God sent” Hebrews 1:1-3
• Jesus brings to us peace with God. v.36 – “peace through Jesus Christ”
• Jesus is Lord of all. v.36 – “Who is Lord of all” Philippians 2:9-11
• Jesus is God’s Anointed One  - Messiah. Mark 14:61-62
• The word for "Christ" and "Messiah" is the same word – “Christos.” Messiah is the Hebrew word and Christ is the Greek word. Both words refer to the same Person and mean the same thing:  the Anointed One.
• The Messiah was thought to be several things:
• Nationally, the Messiah was to be the leader from David's line Who would free the Jewish State and establish it as an independent nation, leading it to be the greatest nation the world had ever known.
• Militarily, the Messiah was to be a great military leader Who would lead Jewish armies victoriously over all the world.
• Religiously, the Messiah was to be a supernatural figure straight from God Who would bring righteousness over all the earth.
• Personally, the Messiah was to be the One who would bring peace to the whole world.
• As God’s Anointed One – Jesus the Messiah fulfills three roles:
• He is the Prophet. Mark 1:22
• He is the Priest. Hebrews 7:23-28
• He is the King. Revelation 17:14
• Jesus was killed.
• God willed it John 3:15; Acts 2:22-23
• Sin caused it. Galatians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 3:18
• Jesus rose from the dead (vv.40-41).
• God showed Jesus openly. “Caused him to be seen” means that God set Jesus before people so that He could be visibly, openly, and publicly seen.
• He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18).
• He appeared to the women near the empty tomb (Matthew 28:8-10).
• He appeared to the two disciples traveling to Emmaus, (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-42).
• He appeared to the disciples with Thomas absent (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25).
• He appeared to the disciples who had gone fishing (John 20).
• He appeared to 500 believers (1 Corinthians 15:6).
• He appeared to the apostles (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18).
• He appeared to James, the Lord's half-brother (1 Corinthians 15:7).
• He appeared to the believers at His ascension (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:3-12).
• Jesus appeared to the chosen witnesses. The word "chosen before" means to be pointed out, to be designated, to be appointed.
• The witnesses had real contact with the risen Lord. John 20:25; 1 John 1:1-4
• Jesus is the final judge over everyone – alive or dead (v.42). John 5:21-22; Acts 17:31
• Jesus has the authority to forgive sins (v.43). Luke 5:17-26
• God’s Salvation comes to everyone who believes in the Name of Jesus. (v.43). Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9
• Principles of Speaking in Tongues in the book of Acts:
• In the book of Acts, speaking in tongues refers to speaking in an unlearned foreign language. We see that clearly in Acts 2, at Pentecost where it says…“each one heard them speaking in his own language.”
• The purpose for these Gentiles speaking in a foreign language by the leading of the Holy Spirit is to prove to Peter and the Jews that they have received the same gift of God’s salvation through Christ just as the Jews did. See Acts 11:15-18.
• Once the Holy Spirit had been given through Jesus Christ to the Jews, the Samaritans and the Gentiles, it no longer was given is this special way. From then on everyone receives the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ at the moment they put their belief in Jesus. Ephesians 1:13