Lessons

The lesson on March 21, 2021 was part 9 of the “Acts – When and Why? study.  Today we started in Romans 15 to look at when it was written during the Acts.  In verse 19 Paul talks of mighty signs and wonders.  Either the signs and wonders we read about in Acts exist today or they don’t.  There were some resurrections performed during the Acts!  When was the last time you witnessed a resurrection?  They do not exist today.  The only way for one to happen is for God to say “come forth”.  God’s Spirit worked wonders during that time.  Paul’s mission to the Gentiles during the Acts was after his appeal to the Jew first and then also to the Greek for the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy.  Paul talks of his journey to Spain after his trip to Jerusalem.  Romans was written by Paul before he made it to Rome. The context of what Paul wrote in Romans fits perfectly into Acts 19 and at the conclusion of Paul’s third missionary journey. The Hope of Israel is manifest at this time and the grafting in of the Gentiles into the wild olive tree of Israel was to provoke them to fruitfulness.  We further looked at Galatians to see how it was written during Acts as well.  Wayne encoraged us to read the article he wrote on RightDivision entitled “Why does Acts 28(29) matter?”  The scripture reading was from Romans 15:18-28 KJV

“18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.”