Obedience Ensures Salvation!
Obedience to the LORD Jesus Not High Moral Standards
Welcome to another Acts of the Apostles Bible Study Series, “Obedience to the LORD Jesus Saves Not High Moral Standards.” Our main reference for today is Acts 10: 1- 8.
Whether you are a Jew or Greek the LORD God expects the same of you, obedience. His expectations are the same and His way is the same. To satisfy the LORD’s expectations of us we must follow His way.
The LORD is a fixed principle. He does not possess different modus operandi for different people. No! We observe a demonstration of God’s expectation and His Way in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Saul obeyed the LORD Jesus.
Obey the Instructions of Jesus Christ
God’s way was obvious to Saul from the very beginning. Jesus instructed him what to do, he was obedient. Saul’s obedience was rewarded although he had to wait three days not knowing if he would ever see again. Because he obedient Jesus gave him a vision. In it, he saw Ananias coming and laying his hands on him and his sight was restored. He saw this long before it happened. But Saul had to wait three days before Ananias came to him with God’s instructions. Saul’s salvation was contingent on Ananias’ obedience to Jesus’s words.
Jesus told Saul to go into Damascus and it would be told him what to do. Saul of Tarsus satisfied the LORD’s expectations of him because he obeyed Jesus’ instructions.
Now, Cornelius has a similar situation confronting him. For Cornelius to satisfy the Lord’s expectations of him he has to do similar to what Saul did, obey Jesus.
Saul’s Salvation was Based on Obedience
At the time of Cornelius regular prayer, he had an encounter with the Lord. Cornelius’ future depends on his obedience. He saw an angel of God in his house just as he was about to pray. Jesus promises to show up when you pray. This angel of God gave Cornelius instructions of God’s way. These instructions constitute God’s way for Cornelius to receive salvation. And this way is indeed identical to the way Saul of Tarsus received salvation.
The Lord informed both Saul and Ananias what to do. Saul was to expect Ananias who was coming to pray for Saul. Ananias was to explain the Lord Jesus’ expectations to Saul. Both men obeyed Jesus and Saul received salvation.
Similarly, Jesus, via his angel explains his expectations to Cornelius, a Greek or Gentile. Cornelius responsibility was to send for Apostle Peter and he would explain the way of Jesus. Peter’s role in Cornelius’ salvation is identical to Ananias’ role in Saul salvation.
Saul’s salvation was based on obedience; the obedience of Saul and the obedience of Ananias. Cornelius salvation is contingent on obedience too; his obedience to the angel of God and Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ instructions. Although, Peter will need special convincing!
Similarly, your salvation is dependent on whether you obey or disobey the Word of the Lord Jesus. If you obey the Lord’s Word, you will receive salvation and eternal life. If you disobey, you are on your own.
Our Salvation Depend on our Obedience to Jesus’ Words
In closing, on the Damascus road Jesus did not explain his way to Saul of Tarsus. Instead, he sent one of his disciples to do that, Acts 9:6.
In Cornelius’ house, the angel of the Lord did not explain to him God’s way for the same reason Jesus did not explain to Saul. Cornelius must obey by sending for Peter to receive what Jesus has for Him. There‘s no way around that only through it by obeying the instructions the angel gave him.
Finally, Jesus and his angel did not explain to both Saul and Cornelius because the Holy Spirit had already come. The Lord is not operating through angels or appearing directly to people to give salvation. He did that as Jesus Christ., now He operates as the Holy Spirit. These persons who have received the Holy Spirit will tell all humanity what to do to receive salvation; they will tell Jesus’ way. Our salvation, therefore, depend on our obedience to their Words.
However, be careful for if their Words are not identical to the Source they are wolves in sheep clothing. Their words of salvation, to you, MUST be identical to ALL the Words of Scriptures, of Jesus or of the Apostles. Additionally, their ACTIONS MUST be consistent with their teachings, preachings or speaking or they do not speak for the LORD Jesus Christ. They are only vessels to explain God’s way!
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