February 7th & 11th
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
—Romans 1:16 NIV
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
—Acts 15:1 NIV
Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
—Acts 15:5 NIV
Salvation Defined
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
—Acts 15:8-11 NIV
4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
—Galatians 2:4-5 NIV
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
—Galatians 1:6-7,9 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
—Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Salvation Defended
This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
—Acts 15:2 NIV
Salvation Developed
Salvation is more than fire insurance, but it is about life assurance.
32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
—Acts 15:32, 35 NIV
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood (PAST), how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath (FUTURE) through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son (PAST), how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (PRESENT)
—Romans 5:9-10 NIV
The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
—Acts 15:31 NIV
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
—1 Peter 1:19-20 NIV
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I accept Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. Please pray for me because salvation hasn’t been important to me.
3. I am interested in being 1/750 by taking a first look on the youth team.
4. I am going to pray about who to invite to church and invite them.