September 30th - The Transition from Law to Grace

“Now it occurred three days after, that he calls together those who are foremost of the Jews...Paul making one declaration, that, "Ideally the holy spirit speaks through Isaiah the prophet, to your fathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say, "In hearing, you will be hearing, and may by no means be understanding, And observing, you will be observing, and may by no means be perceiving,"…Let it be known to you, then, that to the nations is dispatched this salvation of God, and they will hear." Now he remains two whole years in his own hired house, and he welcomed all those going in to him…heralding the kingdom of God, and teaching that which concerns the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unforbidden.” (Acts 28:17-31)

The book of Acts records the transition of God speaking exclusively to Israel to the present era in which God is speaking to all nations. Looking back on when God was speaking only to Israel Paul wrote to the nations…

“You were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and guests of the promised covenants, having no expectation, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12).

After God began speaking to all nations through Paul, he wrote…

“Consequently, then, no longer are you (the other nations) guests and sojourners, but are fellow-citizens of the saints and belong to God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Paul’s message was the unification of Jews and Gentiles in Christ Jesus, and all people now belong in God's family.

“Of these things be reminding them, encouraging them in the Lord's sight not to engage in controversy that is not useful and just upsetts those who are hearing. Try to present yourself to God as a qualified, and unashamed worker, correctly understanding the word of truth...”