THE THREE R'S OF REDEMPTION (Division II B)

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto god, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). 

  I. RECOGNIZE THE SITUATION – Acts 26:18a

A. The Payment for Sin – Rom. 6:23a

B. The Provision for the Sinner – Rom. 6:23

 II. RENOUNCE SIN AND SATAN – Acts 26:18b

    A. Renounce the Practice of Sin – Acts 26:18

    B. Renounce the Promoter of Sin – Acts 26:18b

III. RECEIVE THE SAVIOR  - Acts 26:18c

Introduction:  Acts 26:18 is one of the main verses I have used in evangelistic meetings as well as in discipleship classes.  This verse was given to Paul when he was commissioned to be the apostle to the Gentiles.  It involved three distinct concepts that a person must know to come to the Lord Jesus Christ: I. Recognize the situation; II. Renounce Sin and Satan; and III. Receive the Savior.   This week we are looking at part B under Roman numeral II.

 B. Renounce the Promoter of Sin – Acts 26:18b

“And [to turn them] from the power of Satan unto [the power of] God” (26:18bb)

The Great Commission given to the Apostle Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles is concise, clear, and complete.  The phrase “And from the power of Satan unto [the power of] God” is taught throughout the Bible, but it takes many of us a while to capture this truth, which is short but piercing. 

Let me see if I can explain this in such a way that it will be helpful.  Jesus told the religious leaders in John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  This verse does not need much explaining.  But we do need to think seriously about it.  Satan is the author of sin and he is the administrator of sin. 

Last week I had a very good Bible class in Reynosa, Mexico, just across the River. It took me about thirty minutes from our house to get to the house of Benito and Gloria Camareno where we were to hold the class. The class or classes lasted from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I think this was the most enthusiastic class I have held in this home. The class consisted primarily of three married ladies and their children as well as the Camareno family. These were educated ladies whose husbands had good jobs, and they send their children to expensive private schools. In fact that is how the Camarenos became acquainted with them—two of the Camareno daughters teach their children.

During the course of the class one lady said she had a hard time talking to anyone about God because it seemed to her that God is very mean. She said, “Look at what He is doing to people all over the world.” I told her that the author and administrator of all these crimes was not God, but a god, Satan himself.  They were shocked. They said they had never heard that.  So I shared with them the following verses:

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Hebrews 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

I could see that the Holy Spirit was using the Word to convince these people of the truth. So I shared with them some additional verses: 

John 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 14:30  Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

The Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, gave Timothy, the pastor of the church of Ephesus, this exhortation: “²⁴And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ²⁶And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will”  (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

To be continued: This was Division II. B. Next Tuesday we will look at Division III.  I welcome constructive comments.