Acts Salvation teaching and study

           

Here are several different in the book of  Acts where people are witnessed to by the Apostles and the Apostles were indeed even persecuted, then by the jealous Jews but also this teaching covers the founding of the church and some other noteworthy developments. These people are examples to us today too.

Here also is the full acts 2 sermon where Peter preached to the people after they wondered at the apostles speaking in their own language after the Holy Spirit had spoken to them and also the results are given- 3000 new souls were added to the church with this falling of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost day.

(Acts 2:14)  But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

 

(Acts 2:15)  For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

 

(Acts 2:16)  But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

 

(Acts 2:17)  "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

 

(Acts 2:18)  even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

 

(Acts 2:19)  And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

 

(Acts 2:20)  the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

 

(Acts 2:21)  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

 

(Acts 2:22)  "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know--

 

(Acts 2:23)  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

 

(Acts 2:24)  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

 

(Acts 2:25)  For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

 

(Acts 2:26)  therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

 

(Acts 2:27)  For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.

 

(Acts 2:28)  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 

(Acts 2:29)  "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

 

(Acts 2:30)  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,

 

(Acts 2:31)  he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

 

(Acts 2:32)  This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

 

(Acts 2:33)  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

 

(Acts 2:34)  For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

 

(Acts 2:35)  until I make your enemies your footstool.'

 

(Acts 2:36)  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

 

(Acts 2:37)  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 

(Acts 2:38)  And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

(Acts 2:39)  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

 

(Acts 2:40)  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

 

(Acts 2:41)  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

 

In Acts chapter 3 tells of the miraculous healing of the man at the temple gate and also another message of salvation again encouraging people to repent and be baptized for refreshment

(Acts 3:1)  Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

 

(Acts 3:2)  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

 

(Acts 3:3)  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

 

(Acts 3:4)  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."

 

(Acts 3:5)  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

 

(Acts 3:6)  But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"

 

(Acts 3:7)  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

 

(Acts 3:8)  And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

 

(Acts 3:9)  And all the people saw him walking and praising God,

 

(Acts 3:10)  and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

 

(Acts 3:11)  While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.

 

(Acts 3:12)  And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

 

(Acts 3:13)  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

 

(Acts 3:14)  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

 

(Acts 3:15)  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

 

(Acts 3:16)  And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

 

(Acts 3:17)  "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

 

(Acts 3:18)  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

 

(Acts 3:19)  Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

 

(Acts 3:20)  that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

 

(Acts 3:21)  whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

 

(Acts 3:22)  Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.

 

(Acts 3:23)  And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'

 

(Acts 3:24)  And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.

 

(Acts 3:25)  You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'

 

(Acts 3:26)  God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."

 

The first twenty verses of Acts 4 continue this on, with the apostles being arrested and questioned but they make a powerful defense of the faith, too, and also the man’s healing, which resulted in thousands again being saved

(Acts 4:1)  And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

 

(Acts 4:2)  greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

 

(Acts 4:3)  And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

 

(Acts 4:4)  But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

 

(Acts 4:5)  On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,

 

(Acts 4:6)  with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

 

(Acts 4:7)  And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"

 

(Acts 4:8)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,

 

(Acts 4:9)  if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,

 

(Acts 4:10)  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well.

 

(Acts 4:11)  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

 

(Acts 4:12)  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

 

(Acts 4:13)  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

 

(Acts 4:14)  But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

 

(Acts 4:15)  But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,

 

(Acts 4:16)  saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

 

(Acts 4:17)  But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."

 

(Acts 4:18)  So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

 

(Acts 4:19)  But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

 

(Acts 4:20)  for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."

 

Acts chapter 8 is another good example of witnessing and tells of in some details the ministry of Philip who led many to the Lord, like Simon, and the Eunuch and there were many signs and miracles, too

(Acts 8:1)  And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

 

(Acts 8:2)  Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

 

(Acts 8:3)  But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

 

(Acts 8:4)  Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

 

(Acts 8:5)  Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

 

(Acts 8:6)  And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

 

(Acts 8:7)  For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.

 

(Acts 8:8)  So there was much joy in that city.

 

(Acts 8:9)  But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.

 

(Acts 8:10)  They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."

 

(Acts 8:11)  And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

 

(Acts 8:12)  But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

 

(Acts 8:13)  Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

 

(Acts 8:14)  Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,

 

(Acts 8:15)  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

 

(Acts 8:16)  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

(Acts 8:17)  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

 

(Acts 8:18)  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,

 

(Acts 8:19)  saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

 

(Acts 8:20)  But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

 

(Acts 8:21)  You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

 

(Acts 8:22)  Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

 

(Acts 8:23)  For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

 

(Acts 8:24)  And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

 

(Acts 8:25)  Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

 

(Acts 8:26)  Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place.

 

(Acts 8:27)  And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship

 

(Acts 8:28)  and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

 

(Acts 8:29)  And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."

 

(Acts 8:30)  So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

 

(Acts 8:31)  And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 

(Acts 8:32)  Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.

 

(Acts 8:33)  In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."

 

(Acts 8:34)  And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"

 

(Acts 8:35)  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

 

(Acts 8:36)  And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

 

(Acts 8:37)  [And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]

 

(Acts 8:38)  And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

 

(Act 8:39)  And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

 

(Acts 8:40)  But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

 

Here is the story of Jesus coming to Paul on Paul’s journey to Demascus to persecute the young church even more, but instead Paul ends up temproraly blind(3 days) but does indeed surrender his life to Jesus in this episode, being baptized and prayed over by Ananias and then would go on to be one of the most powerful if not the most powerful Apostle ever, being responsible for much of the new testament, especially the epistles he wrote the churches and cities. This story also illustrates just how far Jesus is willing to go to see a soul be saved as well, and the Lord does not change at all.

(Acts 9:1)  But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

 

(Acts 9:2)  and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

 

(Acts 9:3)  Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

 

(Acts 9:4)  And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

 

(Acts 9:5)  And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

 

(Acts 9:6)  But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

 

(Acts 9:7)  The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

 

(Acts 9:8)  Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

 

(Acts 9:9)  And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

 

(Acts 9:10)  Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

 

(Acts 9:11)  And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

 

(Acts 9:12)  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."

 

(Acts 9:13)  But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

 

(Acts 9:14)  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

 

(Acts 9:15)  But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

 

(Acts 9:16)  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

 

(Acts 9:17)  So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

 

(Acts 9:18)  And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

 

(Acts 9:19)  and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

 

And here in Acts chapters 10 and 11 is the incident of some of the first gentile believers being saved after the death of Jesus, which later on in Acts would be followed by many more during Paul’s Apostle journeys which take up much of the rest of the book

(Acts 10:1)  At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,

 

(Acts 10:2)  a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

 

(Acts 10:3)  About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius."

 

(Acts 10:4)  And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

 

(Acts 10:5)  And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.

 

(Acts 10:6)  He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."

 

(Acts 10:7)  When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,

 

(Acts 10:8)  and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

 

(Acts 10:9)  The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

 

(Acts 10:10)  And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance

 

(Acts 10:11)  and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

 

(Acts 10:12)  In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.

 

(Acts 10:13)  And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

 

(Acts 10:14)  But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

 

(Acts 10:15)  And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

 

(Acts 10:16)  This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

 

(Acts 10:17)  Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate

 

(Acts 10:18)  and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

 

(Acts 10:19)  And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.

 

(Acts 10:20)  Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."

 

(Acts 10:21)  And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"

 

(Acts 10:22)  And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say."

 

(Acts 10:23)  So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

 

(Acts 10:24)  And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

 

(Acts 10:25)  When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

 

(Acts 10:26)  But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man."

 

(Acts 10:27)  And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.

 

(Acts 10:28)  And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

 

(Acts 10:29)  So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me."

 

(Acts 10:30)  And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing

 

(Acts 10:31)  and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

 

(Acts 10:32)  Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.'

 

(Acts 10:33)  So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

 

(Acts 10:34)  So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

 

(Acts 10:35)  but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

 

(Acts 10:36)  As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

 

(Acts 10:37)  you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:

 

(Acts 10:38)  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

 

(Acts 10:39)  And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

 

(Acts 10:40)  but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,

 

(Acts 10:41)  not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

 

(Acts 10:42)  And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

 

(Acts 10:43)  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

 

(Acts 10:44)  While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

 

(Acts 10:45)  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

 

(Acts 10:46)  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

 

(Acts 10:47)  "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

 

(Acts 10:48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

 

(Acts 11:1)  Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

 

(Acts 11:2)  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,

 

(Acts 11:3)  "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."

 

(Acts 11:4)  But Peter began and explained it to them in order:

 

(Acts 11:5)  "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.

 

(Acts 11:6)  Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.

 

(Acts 11:7)  And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'

 

(Acts 11:8)  But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'

 

(Acts 11:9)  But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.'

 

(Acts 11:10)  This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.

 

(Acts 11:11)  And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.

 

(Acts 11:12)  And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.

 

(Acts 11:13)  And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;

 

(Acts 11:14)  he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'

 

(Acts 11:15)  As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

 

(Acts 11:16)  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

 

(Acts 11:17)  If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"

 

(Acts 11:18)  When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."

 

And the last 27 verses in Acts 13 show the gospel going to the gentiles, first with another view of the gospel and also it being stated then the Jews- by no means all of them but many of the Jews- considering themselves unworthy of salvation by their actions and words even, persecuted the Christians there and then and in many of the subsequent chapters in Acts (14 and beyond).

(Acts 13:26)  "Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.

 

(Acts 13:27)  For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.

 

(Acts 13:28)  And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.

 

(Acts 13:29)  And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

 

(Acts 13:30)  But God raised him from the dead,

 

(Acts 13:31)  and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.

 

(Acts 13:32)  And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,

 

(Acts 13:33)  this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.'

 

(Acts 13:34)  And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

 

(Acts 13:35)  Therefore he says also in another psalm, "'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.'

 

(Acts 13:36)  For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,

 

(Acts 13:37)  but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

 

(Acts 13:38)  Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

 

(Acts 13:39)  and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

 

(Acts 13:40)  Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

 

(Acts 13:41)  "'Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'"

 

(Acts 13:42)  As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.

 

(Acts 13:43)  And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

 

(Acts 13:44)  The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

 

(Acts 13:45)  But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.

 

(Acts 13:46)  And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

 

(Acts 13:47)  For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

 

(Acts 13:48)  And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

 

(Acts 13:49)  And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

 

(Acts 13:50)  But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

 

(Acts 13:51)  But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.

 

(Acts 13:52)  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

 

I close this teaching by sharing a salvation tract here to present the gospel to you today, so you can invite Jesus in your heart, too

                        Salvation tract featuring Timothy through John verses

 

            Here is a salvation tract featuring verses from the epistles of 1 Timothy, Titus, Peter, and 1 John and other verses of the bible.

I am starting this tract though with the fact that all have fallen short of His glory in Romans chapter 3

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

(Romans 3:24)  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

 

(Romans 3:25)  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

 

Also that we were slaves to sin and now, which we were slaves to sin and now we can be slaves to righteousness in Jesus, getting the free gift of eternal life in Jesus

(Romans 6:20)  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

 

(Romans 6:21)  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

 

(Romans 6:22)  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

 

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

 

Here the gospel of John reminds us that God sent Jesus into the world so all who believe have eternal life

(John 3:16)  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

(John 3:17)  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

 

The scriptures in 1 Timothy which encourage prayer and supplication for God wants all people to be saved as stated in these verses

(1 Timothy 2:1)  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

 

(1 Timothy 2:2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

 

(1 Timothy 2:3)  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

 

(1 Timothy 2:4)  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

 

(1 Timothy 2:6)  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

 

The verses in Titus also stress and reinforce the message in Timothy, above, on salvation

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

 

(Titus 2:12)  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

 

(Titus 2:13)  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

(Titus 2:14)  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

 

(Titus 2:15)  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

 

These two verses in 1 Peter shed more light on this purpose of Jesus

(1 Peter 2:24)  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

 

(1 Peter 2:25)  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

 

That message also is here in this 1 Peter 3 verse

(1 Peter 3:18)  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit

 

And so does these two verses in 2 Peter 3 for time is nothing to the Lord and He wants all to come to repentance and is patient

(2 Peter 3:8)  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 

These two verses in 1 John 2 also state how Jesus was the propitiation for our sins and all mankind’s

(1 John 2:1)  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

 

(1 John 2:2)  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Also a very similar message is given in these two verses in 1 John chapter 4 how God loved us and sent Jesus to be a propitiation for our sins

(1 John 4:9)  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

 

(1 John 4:10)  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

And here is this passage in 1 John 5 which reinforces the 1 Timothy passage well, stating the power of prayer but also the gospel message of how it is necessary to have the Son of God to have eternal life.

(1 John 5:5)  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

(1 John 5:6)  This is he who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

 

(1 John 5:7)  For there are three that testify:

 

(1 John 5:8)  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

 

(1 John 5:9)  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

 

(1 John 5:10)  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

 

(1 John 5:11)  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

 

(1 John 5:12)  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 

(1 John 5:13)  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

 

In John 14 Jesus then makes it very clear that nobody can come to God but by Him

(John 14:6)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

But Jesus also makes it clear in Revelation that He indeed is seeking people always

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

 

And here are some key verses in Romans 10 about Salvation:

(Romans 10:9)  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

 

(Romans 10:11)  For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

 

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

 

(Romans 10:13)  For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

 

Now those people are now a new creation in Christ

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

 

And also at peace with God being justified by faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(Romans 5:2)  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

These two verses promise no condemnation with those in Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

 

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death

 

I am sure you have now seen enough now to be ready to pray to be saved. I am now including a short prayer that you can say to ensure that you are saved and have eternal life when you die, going to heaven to be with Jesus forever and not end up going to hell.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

God bless you and yours