As the Gospel takes root among the Gentiles throughout the world, God’s purpose for the Jews comes to fruition. They experienced, recorded, and protected God’s Word to the world. In doing so they amplified the truth about humanity as well as God Himself. And through them the Savior of the world was brought into the world. And His own nation – His own people – then crucified the Son of God Most High. Chilling.
The Plan for the One New Man was unfolding within the story of the book of Acts. “By taking away the curse of sin through delivering His body – He rendered the hostility between God and mankind powerless, so that in Himself He might make both Jews and Gentiles into One New Man, and establish His peace as He changes everything – by making everything right through His cross and making us one…through Him all of us have been brought near in One Spirit through the Father.” – from a Nadler translation in Ephesians 2. We will talk more about this one new man when we get to the book of Hebrews, or you can enter One New Man into the search box above.
Understanding this concept brings together hundreds of threads of the God Story, and establishes our understanding Who God is, what He has planned, and our personal identities within this story.
As you read Acts 21-27 we will observe the backdrop for the letters that are being written (Romans 1:16). We will now consider Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews as well as Peter and John’s letters. Paul will finally arrive in Rome – totally prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to see the Gospel grow to the ends of the earth (Philippians 1:21). Inspiring and so crystal clear – for the story – and for our souls!
“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” – Acts 1:6-9