When the early Christians scattered following the persecution of Stephen, they traveled “as far as Phoenician, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only” (Acts 11:19).  That is until some men from Cyprus and Cyrene who in “Antioch spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:20-21). When the church in Jerusalem heard, they sent Barnabas to minister to this new congregation most likely made up of Jews and Gentiles.  “Who when he came and had seen the Grace of God was glad. (He) exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:23).  Then, he went to Tarsus to get Paul.  Returning, they both taught the church in Antioch, where the disciples were first called “Christians”.

            Antioch was a very corrupt society, filled with the worship of “pleasure”.  The city was known for its lascivious living, brothels, and indulgent “pleasures”.  People were very concerned with themselves, each believing their own pleasure more important than that of anyone else.  Even in whatever good they might do; it was all about self-exaltation and self-indulgent pleasures.  It was amid such a society that the church grew and flourished.  No wonder, Barnabas felt overjoyed for the Grace of God to bring salvation to such a place.  Therefore, he exhorted the people “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord”.  For in such a place very similar to the one we live today, it does require purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord.

PURPOSE OF HEART

Continue reading Why with Purpose of Heart, Cleave unto The Lord? →

After the resurrection of Christ, His apostles and disciples must have been so filled with tremendous anticipation as they waited for the Holy Spirit to come.  Christ had told them to do nothing until that day.  But as with everything, God does all things in His Perfect Timing.  As pointed out in detail in “What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?” God planned the day and sent the Holy Spirit with His Perfect Timing.  Jesus died on Passover Day and rose again on the day of the feast of first fruits as outlined in Leviticus.  Then, the day of Pentecost was on the 50th day after Passover which is the feast of Harvest.  Of note the feast of the Harvest was when the Jewish people had a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from many nations on the 50th day after the Passover.

The impact of His perfect timing was a massive crowd being saved.  The church was born in Jerusalem among the Jewish nation.  Yet, all these Christians were babes in Christ.  They needed to be fed in the word of God.  Remember there was no New Testament.  None of the gospels had even been written.  The church relied on the daily preaching of Peter and the Apostles in the courtyards of the Synagogue.  The converts continued to grow; but space became limited.  Stephen and most likely others who had grown rapidly in the faith began to spread out to the Hellenistic Synagogues (those built for Jews from other nations to worship in their own language).  Of a certainty, Stephen had learned rapidly as he became one of the greatest apologetic preachers ever to preach.

God’s Perfect Timing

Continue reading God Does All Things in His Perfect Timing →

In life, we tend to classify people by race, nationality, gender, belief systems, social status, and the list goes one.  But what about God?  Does God ever classify people and if so, how? Some might say He does classify everyone by good or bad. But, then, who sets the standard? True He often refers to the righteous versus the unrighteous.  But, then, what is the determination of righteous versus unrighteous.  Afterall, did not Romans 3:10-11 declare: There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

So, what determines righteousness in God’s eyes?  We know that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness (Romans 4:9) and thus has been the case throughout the history of humanity.

Even Adam who walked and talked with God in the Garden did not comprehend the fullness of God’s Majestic Glory.  If he had, he would never have chosen to disobey God.  Yet, after Adam had sinned, God reached forth with grace.  If Adam would believe God’s promise that a Savior would come, then he and all else who believed could be saved from the penalty for their sin.

Ah, did you not see that it was after God’s promise of a Savior, Adam named his wife Eve?  Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). This was an act of faith; because, Adam knowing of good and evil now could see the absolute righteousness of God and knew the only hope for himself was a Savior, born of a virgin, not carrying his cursed heart of sin.

Does God Classify People Jew or Gentile?

Continue reading Does God Ever Classify People? If so, How? →

The Great Pleasure of His Will

by Effie Darlene Barba

It was His Grace that Loved me so

In spite of all that He did know

About this heart blackened by sin

The Selfishness that lurks within

Despite all that He knew of me

He chose to die to set me free

He knew the price, yet paid it still

For the great pleasure of His will

That I might then become His Child

Although at times I seemed so wild

As His Beloved, Redeemed, and Blessed

He clothed me in His Righteousness

His Spirit sealed my destiny

As His throughout eternity

Empowering me with strength on high

That I might sound His battle cry

As mighty warrior for His sake

My prideful heart He had to break

That I might bow beneath my cross

And count all else but Him as loss

That as I gaze upon His Face

His depth of love, His Awesome Grace

I see His Glory shining bright

Beacon of hope, my guiding light

So, filled with joy, I lift my voice

With song of praise, I make my choice

To be a servant to my Lord

Embrace His Will with one Accord

Whatever else, He asks of me

I bow now humbly on my knee

The Great Pleasure of His Will Concluding Thoughts

It was only by Grace that God called my name.  When I fully recognize that truth, then my heart surrenders to His Will as my Lord.  I don’t have to always understand.  Instead I submit to His Will.  I trust Him completely.  And I Obey.

[bctt tweet=”With song of praise, I make my choice To be a servant to my Lord Embrace His Will with one Accord Whatever else, He asks of me I bow now humbly on my knee” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”Despite all that He knew of me He chose to die to set me free He knew the price, yet paid it still For the great pleasure of His will” username=”effiedarlene”]

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

PREVIOUSLY

If I in Silence Do Dismiss  (A Poem)

But for God, the Sorrows that Abound- a poem

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Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits:

Photo by Richard Ciraulo on Unsplash