Christ alone!

Christ alone provides atonement for the sins of the world.

In Him, through Him and in the power of Holy Spirit we are given the chance for eternal life with Him.

Praise be to our triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!!

But today we can rejoice in knowing that God's grace made a way for us through Jesus. From the beginning of creation, Christ was established in authority over all the world (Colossians 1:15-20). But our Savior took upon Himself the penalty for our sin. On the cross, the debt of our transgressions was paid in full. His sacrificial death appeared like a foolish loss to the eyes of the world but actually brought salvation to anyone who looks to Him for forgiveness. First5 

On this day may I be present to the Miracle of being alive.
May I reach out to those who are suffering and may I use my voice as a force for good.
May I have the courage to do what is right, not what is easy.
May I have the strength to shine a light in the darkness.
May I not distance myself from myself. (Joanne Fink) SabbathMoments 

Acts 26:19-23

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” The New King James Version

Paul is being persecuted for following Jesus’ command to spread the gospel. This ministry, particularly to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people), has caused many of his fellow Jews to oppose him. Paul proclaims that both Gentiles and Jews receive forgiveness of sins and can be part of the people of God. 

Throughout Acts, the good news about Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of promises made by God in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Jesus was not raised from the dead temporarily, as other people were. He was the first who absolutely conquered death and was the guarantee that others would as well. Faithlife Study Bible

Repentance indicates a complete change in thinking. In Romans 12:2, Paul speaks of the “renewing of your mind.” We do what we think is best, what makes sense to us. Genuine repentance is evidenced by changed behavior. The NKJV Study Bible

All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. 

The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul’s preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at?  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 

Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.