Continuing in the Grace of God
The word of exhortation delivered by Paul to those
gathered in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia contains many of the
essential elements of apostolic preaching (Acts 13:14-52). There was
the historical linkage that began with the fathers (13:17),
transitioned through Egypt and the wilderness (13:17-18), brought
Israel into the land of promise (13:19), led to the Judges and
Samuel (13:20), and then king David (13:22), from whose seed he
raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus (13:23). This Jesus is portrayed
as the One in whom there was no cause of death, but crucified
nonetheless by an elect nation that condemned him (13:27-28). In so
doing, they fulfilled the prophetic scriptures by nailing him to a
tree (13:29). But God raised him from the dead (13:30).
According to Paul, the death and resurrection of
Christ had now become the basis for forgiveness of sins (13:38). It
is worth nothing that this synagogue crowd consisted of both Jews
and Gentiles, all of which were recipients of the word of salvation
(13:26). Paul clearly believed that the death of Christ was
inclusive of all men without exception or distinction. If Paul had
believed in a limited atonement, there is no way (with good
conscience) he could have preached the forgiveness of sins to every
man in that synagogue. But when Paul preached the cross, he made a
universal application of its merits, and excluded no one in his
appeal! If the cross and empty tomb do not represent hope and good
news for every sinner, then who can know with certainty (apart from
a subjective experience) whether there is a value in that cross for
them?
There are two observations to be made from our text.
The first is from Paul’s opening remarks, and the second from Paul’s
interaction with the hearers after the meeting broke up. Both of
them provide valuable insight into the mind of Paul regarding his
perspective on grace.
In his introduction, Paul referred to his audience as
“Men of Israel, and ye that fear God” (13:16). Mid-way through his
message, he addressed them as “children of the stock of Abraham, and
whosoever among you feareth God” (13:26). Now, this is the same man
who wrote: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18).
Is Paul contradicting himself? What could have caused Paul to
attribute the fear of God to men in this crowd and deny it to the
entire race of sinners in his epistle to the Romans?
The answer lies in what Paul immediately perceived as
he sized up the congregation prior to speaking—the grace of God was
at work in Antioch of Pisidia long before he arrived! God’s drawing
grace alone could account for both Jewish and Gentile hearts ready
to receive the Word with reverence and awe. And as the apostle to
the Gentiles, it must have thrilled Paul’s heart to see so many
Gentiles hungering for the truth of God. This was grace at
work...and the Gentiles were in the midst of it!
The second observation finds these same God-fearing
Gentiles begging for another dose of the gospel on the next Sabbath
day (13:42-43). This is grace in durative action. God prepared their
hearts before Paul came on the scene, and continued to stir their
souls by his Spirit regarding his Son after the preaching had ended.
Many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and
Barnabas, who “persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Paul
was aware of what God was up to with his grace, and convinced these
men that they should remain open to the truth they had heard until
it bore the fruit of salvation in their souls!
Now, we can call this grace of God drawing grace,
illuminating grace, or quickening grace (that awakens the soul that
is dead in trespasses and sins to the light of gospel truth so that
the will is able to respond to it in faith). Paul discerned the work
of God in their midst, but also realized it was possible for them to
discontinue the journey toward gospel truth, and frustrate the grace
of God.
The manner in which Paul dealt with these men is
totally inconsistent with the philosophical notions of
“unconditional election” and “irresistible grace.” If Paul had been
a “sovereign grace” preacher, as some have mislabeled him, he would
have been content to let God regenerate his elect without regard for
their continuance in grace or the lack thereof. In fact, the seekers
would have had no choice in the matter. But Paul appealed to them as
one who knew they had a responsibility to cooperate with the grace
of God, knowing that eternal danger was close at hand for those who
rejected the work of grace (13:40-41).
During my years as a pastor, I witnessed on many
occasions the grace of God working in the hearts of lost sinners.
They would often come back to church Sunday after Sunday with an
apparent hunger for the truth. It was always my prayer that they
would continue in the grace of God, and during visits to their homes
I would try to encourage them to do so. At times I would say, “The
church cannot get you to heaven, but it’s a great place to catch the
bus that can.” The metaphorical bus of which I spoke is the Lord
Jesus Christ. If you have a lost friend, loved one, or acquaintance
that is searching, then know that the grace of God is at work within
them. Do all you can to persuade them to continue in that precious
grace!
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