PAUL’S GOD-GIVEN COMMISSION

2/13/2022

FEBRUARY 13 - START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

Acts 26:17-18 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

PAUL'S GOD-GIVEN COMMISSION

This verse is a classic statement of the effects Jesus desires from the preaching of His message to spiritually lost people (those who have not yet received His forgiveness and a renewed personal relationship with Him).

“Open their eyes.” Those who do not know Christ are blinded by Satan to the reality of their spiritual lostness and future destruction. They do not comprehend the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Preaching about Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit is the only thing that will expose their true condition and “open their eyes” of understanding (2 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:18).
“Turn them from…the power of Satan to God.” Satan is the ruler of this world full of people who choose to go their own way. All who have not surrendered their lives to Christ’s authority are under Satan’s control and enslaved to his power. Satan’s work and influence are evident in all who follow the ways of the world and “in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2). Preaching about Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit will rescue men and women from Satan’s power and bring them into Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9).
“That they may receive forgiveness of sins.” Forgiveness is only possible because of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, which paid the full penalty for our sins. When people hear this message, they can respond in faith by accepting Christ’s sacrifice for themselves and by yielding control of their lives to Him.
“A place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Those who are forgiven of sin, freed from the power of Satan, and spiritually renewed by the Holy Spirit are then set apart from the world and reserved for God’s purposes. Through the further experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit, they are empowered for those purposes as they grow deeper in their relationship with Christ.

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!