Who Art Thou Lord? I Am Jesus of Nazareth Whom Ye Persecute! - Part 1395

How did the apostles mightily convince the Jews? By publicly showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:28)

Apostle Paul, in particular, increased the more in strength, confounding the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this Jesus (who was crucified on the cross, shedding His precious blood for you and I) was indeed the very Christ, which was prophesied from the beginning of time. (Acts 9:22)

Repeatedly reasoning with them out of the scriptures, "opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you is Christ." (Acts 17:3)

Indeed, Paul was pressed in the Spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:5) Paul never stopped preaching Jesus everywhere he went. We see this in his journey throughout the countryside. The message? Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords. His love for one and all. (Acts 20:1-38)

"And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, and there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas.

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, "Trouble not yourselves for his life is in him."

When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews, and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ ... " (Acts 20:1-21)

Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ -- the love from above that surpasses all human understanding reaching out to us in this current dispensation of grace. Just before, Paul having passed through the upper coasts to Ephesus had found certain disciples, and asked them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism." (Acts 19:1-3)

Did apostle Paul stop there, as do many of the churches of today? Not a chance. Like the other eleven, Paul preached the full gospel, telling them, "Paul verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus." (Acts 19:4)

And when they heard, they were water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:5-6)

And herein, is Paul continuing his last journey, pressed in the Spirit to preach the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost witnessing through Paul in every city, declaring unto one and all the counsel of God. God coming forth as a mighty man (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)

Here is Paul saying, "And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all, and they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship." 

Sharing the good news, while warning us likewise of the grievous wolves who would enter in among us, sparing not the flock. But not without commending us first to God and to the Word of His grace --which is able to build us up and to give us an inheritance among all them which are sanctified through truth -- Thy Word is Truth.

This is why we preach Jesus, because only He can save us from our sins!

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
"The stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12)

Reach out to the Lord Jesus today, repenting and making Him both Lord and Christ in your heart. (Acts 2:36) Be water baptized in His name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- and receive ye the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47) Stand in the offering plate.