“Through the grace
of the Lord Jesus”: A resounding affirmation of salvation by grace through
faith alone (see notes on Rom. 3:24-25).
Peter reminds them
that Salvation is the same for Jew and Gentile.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it
is] the gift of God:" "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
These people (in
verse 1), are like many of the people of our day, who add obligations to be
done, to be saved. Salvation is simple. (Romans 10:9-10), explains it
perfectly. (John 3:15-17), tells it so well in Jesus' own words.
Jesus and the
apostles clearly teach that salvation is by God’s grace through faith alone
(2:21; 16:31; John 3:3, 36; 5:24; Rom. 3:24; 4:4-5; 21-24; 5:1; 10:9-10, 13;
Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 5:11-13; Rev. 1:5; 5:9). The book
of Galatians extensively deals with this problem.
Act 15:1-26
https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+15:1-29
Study Guide
Acts 26:23 "That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should
be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles."
“Christ should suffer … rise from the dead”: Messiah’s suffering
(Psalm 22; Isa. 53), and resurrection (Psalms 16:10; 13:30-37), the central
themes of Paul’s preaching, are clearly taught in the Old Testament.
The suffering of Christ was to us-ward, that he might save us from
our sin. Had Christ not suffered and His body died, then we could not have
everlasting life. We will rise to life eternal, because our leader rose first.
He is our Savior.
1 Corinthians 15:15- 23: "Yea, and we are found false
witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:
whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not." "For if the
dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:" "And if Christ be not
raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins." "Then they
also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." "If in this
life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of
them that slept." "For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also
the resurrection of the dead." "For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive." "But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
The light that shines is the hope of eternal life. This is to the
Gentile, as well as the Jew.
Acts 26:24 "And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said
with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee
mad."
