Faith Bible Fellowship Church of York

Paul preaches the gospel and shows that the resurrection of Jesus is God's fulfillment of his Old Testament promises. Jesus Christ is the climax of God's redemptive history to save a people to Himself and glorify His name.

God calls Barnabas and Paul to go on their first missionary journey. When God calls us, He equips us. We also may encounter opposition to the Word of God.

The Apostle James is put to death by Herod. Herod seizes Peter and plans to put him to death. The church gathers to pray and Peter is delivered by an angel. Herod's pride becomes his downfall. This is teaches us about the plans of God and the way God uses prayer.

Peter is criticized for eating with unclean Gentiles and for sharing the gospel with them. He tells them what God has done and how it is clear that salvation is being granted to the Gentiles by God. Later as more Gentiles get saved Barnabas is glad and encourages the new believers. We need to recognize the miracle at work when God saves people and rejoice with them. We should encourage new believers rather than criticize.

Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits of the resurrection of dead which guarantees that believers in Christ will be raised from the dead. It also assures to us that Jesus Christ reigns as Lord over all creation and is bringing all things into submission under His feet. His great mission of to accomplish the reign of God and hand it over to God where "The kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ."

Paul breaks down the false belief that some Corinthians held in denying the resurrection. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ did not rise from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus assures us of the forgiveness of sins, it is the ground of our hope. It assures us Jesus is mighty to save.

The Bible teaches us that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a matter of "first importance". We must be grounded on the gospel and hold fast to it. The message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and rose again on the third day, all in accordance with the Old Testament Scriptures.

Peter speaks to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house and preaches the gospel to them. He understands that God does not show partiality and since Jesus is Lord of all, all are invited to believe. The Holy Spirit sovereignly comes upon those listening and new believers are baptized. We learn that the gospel is freely offered to all.

Cornelius is a Gentile seeking the Lord but needs to learn about the fulfillment of Jesus. Peter needs to learn that the ceremonial law no longer applies. God directs both of them. It is the grace of God in action to show us that all are inviting in the gospel to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Saul is brought to saving faith, he experiences the grace of God who opens his eyes to see the truth. God is the one who sovereignly initiates Saul's conversion. It shows us our salvation is by grace alone.