by jimwalton » Fri Nov 16, 2018 6:03 pm
The emphasis of Jesus is the emphasis of the first street preachers: Jesus is life; come to Him for life. The motivator to come to God is the chance to have life, not the threat of punishment in hell. Even when Jesus spoke of hell, it was almost always as the unavoidable consequence of turning away from life, love, and light. He was just being honest with people, but his emphasis was always "Come to me. I want to give you life, and that you know it to be abundant."
But don't miss the fine print in Acts.
- After Peter's sermon in Acts 2 where he invited people to life, the text says "With many other words he warned them" (Acts 2.40).
- In Acts 3.24 he reminds them that "anyone who does not listen to [Jesus, God's Son] will be completely cut off from among his people."
- And remember they were preaching in a context of Judaism, where there was a common understanding of the wrath of God (they would think that, for sure, in Acts 4.10-12, where he reminds them that salvation is found in no other name under heaven). Jews knew that if they rejected the one God sent they would be subject to God's judgment.
- Acts 5.11: Great fear seized the church after Ananias and Sapphira were judged by God for their sin.
- Acts 7.51-53 were words of judgment from Stephen. He had already reminded them of the judgment on Egypt for their opposition to God (7.36). He reminded them of the judgment of God for their rejection of Him (7.43). Stephen is indicting his audience for not listening to the prophets, and if they reject, he implies they will be subject also to judgment.
- Acts 8.20: Peter says to Simon the Sorcerer, "May your money perish with you," assuming that those who oppose God will perish.
You're getting the point without me continuing. Even though Acts is filled with the message of life, it is not without warning from the street preachers.
The emphasis of Jesus is the emphasis of the first street preachers: Jesus is life; come to Him for life. The motivator to come to God is the chance to have life, not the threat of punishment in hell. Even when Jesus spoke of hell, it was almost always as the unavoidable consequence of turning away from life, love, and light. He was just being honest with people, but his emphasis was always "Come to me. I want to give you life, and that you know it to be abundant."
But don't miss the fine print in Acts.
[list]- After Peter's sermon in Acts 2 where he invited people to life, the text says "With many other words he warned them" (Acts 2.40).
- In Acts 3.24 he reminds them that "anyone who does not listen to [Jesus, God's Son] will be completely cut off from among his people."
- And remember they were preaching in a context of Judaism, where there was a common understanding of the wrath of God (they would think that, for sure, in Acts 4.10-12, where he reminds them that salvation is found in no other name under heaven). Jews knew that if they rejected the one God sent they would be subject to God's judgment.
- Acts 5.11: Great fear seized the church after Ananias and Sapphira were judged by God for their sin.
- Acts 7.51-53 were words of judgment from Stephen. He had already reminded them of the judgment on Egypt for their opposition to God (7.36). He reminded them of the judgment of God for their rejection of Him (7.43). Stephen is indicting his audience for not listening to the prophets, and if they reject, he implies they will be subject also to judgment.
- Acts 8.20: Peter says to Simon the Sorcerer, "May your money perish with you," assuming that those who oppose God will perish.[/list]
You're getting the point without me continuing. Even though Acts is filled with the message of life, it is not without warning from the street preachers.