INTRODUCTION
Outline.
3. Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report
Introductory Remarks.
1. This is lesson three in this sermon-series: “Lord, who hath believed our report?” The question originates from the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 53:1. This was Isaiah’s report of the coming and work of the Messiah. He wrote: “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him…Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” Isaiah 53:1-6. I have collapsed this text for brevity.
2. We will investigate how this question relates to the Gentiles, who gladly received Isaiah's report. Paul wrote: “But I say, did Israel not know? Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me,’” Romans 10:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1. The Gentiles had received Isaiah’s report gladly.
3. Luke wrote: “So when the Jews went out of the synagogues, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached unto them the next Sabbath…On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God…When the Gentiles heard…they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region,” Acts 13:42-49. With this brief introduction, let’s consider lesson three in this sermon-series: Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report.
BODY OF LESSON
III GENTILES HATH RECEIVED ISAIAH’S REPORT
A. It was the Gentiles who hath received Isaiah’s report gladly. Paul wrote: “But I say, did Israel not know? Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me,’” Romans 10:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1-2. Paul now speaks to Moses and Isaiah's prophecy of the nation's rejection of the Messiah. Observe--
1. First, Moses reported Jehovah saying: “I will provoke you (Israel) to jealousy by those who are not a nation (the Gentiles), I will move you to anger by a foolish nation,” Deuteronomy 32:21; Romans 10:19. Of this promise, Hosea wrote--
a. One, "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it is written unto them, Ye are not my people, there it is said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel,” Hosea 1:10-11. Jezreel, in Hebrew, means, "God scatters."
b. Two, "Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word," Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19. The persecution of Saul brought forth the scattering of the disciples into all the world. It was fulfilling Jehovah's promise of the day of Jezreel, Hosea 1:10-11.
c. Third, "And it shall come to pass in that day…I will sow her unto me in the earth, and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy, and I will say to them which were not my people: Thou are my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God," Hosea 2:21-23.
d. Conclusion: As Israel provoked the Lord to anger, He provoked them to jealousy. They forsook him, but he would be found and loved by a people who were not his people. I see in Hosea’s prophecy: that people are the Gentiles.
1) Amos wrote: “In that day will I raise the tabernacle of David that is fallen…I will build it as in the days of old…That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen (Gentiles), which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this,” Amos 9:11-12.
2) James, the Lord’s brother at the Jerusalem Conference: Reported, “Simon, has declared how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And with this, the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 'After this, I will return and will build the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things,’” Acts 15:13-17. James was quoting the prophet, Amos.
2. Further, Isaiah wrote: “But Isaiah is very bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me,’” Isaiah 65:1-2; Romans 10:20. Paul wrote of His manifestation: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit; seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
3. Finally, Isaiah wrote of Jehovah’s rebuke: “But to Israel He saith: All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people,” Romans 10:21.
a. The word “disobedient” in Gr., is apeitheo or ap-i-theh'-o, which means to disbelieve (willfully and perversely): —not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving. That is to refuse or withhold one's belief, to refuse to believe and be obedient, and to be unwilling to submit to the will of God, Romans 10:3. This attitude was the state of the Israelite Nation at the time Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans.
b. The word “gainsaying” in Gr., is antilego or an-til'-ego, which means to dispute, refuse: —answer again, contradict, deny, gainsay(-er), or speaking against the word. That is to oppose one's self to another, decline to obey him, declare himself against a thing, or refuse to have anything to do with a thing. Israel was speaking against Isaiah's report; they were unwilling to hear, believe, or obey the terms of it, Acts 13:45; Acts 28:19-22.
c. The word, not to “submit” in Gr., is hypotasso or hoop-ot-as'-so, which means not to yield, to subordinate; or to obey: —to be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), to be (put) in subjection (to, under), or to submit one’s self unto another, Romans 10:3; Ephesians 5:21; James 4:7. This word is a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader." In non-military use means "a voluntary attitude giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden," Matthew 16:24; Psalms 18:44.
d. Conclusion: Here we have it, Israel would not voluntarily submit themselves to the will of God in obedience to Isaiah's report. They would not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God: “Which is through the faith in Christ,” Philippians 3:9; Romans 10:4. “For Isaiah saith, ‘Lord, who hath believed our report?” But they have not all (Jews and Gentiles) obeyed the gospel. They have not yielded their will unto the Lord, in humble submission to hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel of Christ, Romans 10:16-17. However,
B. The Gentiles gladly received Isaiah’s report. Paul and Barnabas were preaching unto the Jews and Gentiles, while in Antioch in Pisidia, in Acts 13:14. Luke recorded--
1. First, of the Jews. Paul declared: "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, everyone who believes is justified from all things from which the law of Moses could not justify you. Beware, therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 'Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.' So, when the Jews went out of the synagogue…(And) the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. They, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God,” Acts 13:38-43.
2. Further, of the Gentiles. Luke continued: “So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached unto them the next Sabbath…On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God…When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region,” Acts 13:42-49.
3. Finally, the Jews’ reaction. Luke concludes: "But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, (to) raise persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit,” Acts 13:50-52.
4. Conclusion: The congregation seems to have been made up of unbelieving Jews, Gentiles, proselytes, and believing Jews (maybe from Jerusalem), Acts 8:1; Acts 8:4; and Acts 11:19.
a. The unbelieving Jews left the congregation unbelieving.
b. The Gentiles begged Paul and Barnabas to remain and preach to them on the next Sabbath.
c. The believing Jews and proselytes continued with them and were encouraged to continue in the grace of God. On the following Sabbath, Paul, and Barnabas preached to the Gentiles; almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God, Acts 13:44; Romans 10:17.
d. When the unbelieving Jews:
1) First, "Saw the multitude, they were filled with envy and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul."
2) Second, “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said: The word of God needed to be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth,” Acts 13:46-47.
3) Third, “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region,” Acts 13:48-49.
C. Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles. This beloved apostle was charged with opening the door of faith to both the Jews and Gentiles. We have already noted his preaching to the Jews in Acts, chapters 2 and 3. We will now consider his preaching unto the Gentiles in Acts, chapters 10 and 11. Peter, while in Joppa, was summoned to journey to Caesarea to preach Christ unto the first uncircumcised Gentile and his household. Observe--
1. Peter’s second mission was to open the door of faith to the Gentiles. He did this while visiting the house of Cornelius in Caesarea. We will not invest a lot of time with Cornelius’ conversion, only to outline the significant events surrounding it. I wrote about Cornelius and Joel's prophecy regarding the Gentiles, Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:14-21.
2. While Peter was in Joppa, the angel of the Lord visited Cornelius to grant an answer to his prayer. The angel of the Lord spoke to him, saying: "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are come up before God as a memorial. Therefore, send to Joppa and call for Peter, he lodges in Simon of Tanner’s house by the sea. He will tell thee what thou must do,” Acts 10:1-6. The angel instructs Cornelius what to do to obtain an answer to his prayers to God.
3. Cornelius sends men to Joppa to fetch Peter, Acts 10:7-8. While they were enroute—
a. Peter went up on the roof of Simon's house and was given a vision by the Lord, Acts 10:9-18.
b. While Peter was considering the vision, the Spirit told him men were seeking him at the gate. And he should go down and go with them, doubting nothing, Acts 10:19-20.
c. Peter meets the men sent from Caesarea and enquires regarding their visit, Acts 10:21.
4. The messengers of Cornelius informed Peter of their visit and why they sought him in Caesarea. The messengers were invited into Simon’s house, fed, and lodged overnight. They set out for Caesarea early on the next day, Acts 10:22-23.
5. Peter’s arrival at Cornelius' house, Acts 10:24. He had brought along seven men with him to Caesarea. No doubt as witnesses to the events about to unfold. Observe--
a. Cornelius met Peter and others at the door of his house. Cornelius sought to do homage to Peter but was forbidden, Acts 10:25-29. He said: “Stand up, I am also a man,” Acts 10:26.
b. Cornelius told Peter the reason for the summon to his house, Acts 10:30-33.
c. Peter opened his mouth and began to preach unto Cornelius and all within his house, Acts 10:34-43. Stating God had taught him: "Not to call any man common or unclean," Acts 10:27. But that: "He accepts every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness," Acts 10:34-35. During Peter’s sermon--
6. The Holy Spirit "fell upon all that heard the word. Peter and the others witnessed them speaking in tongues and magnifying God,” Acts 10:44-46. Peter commands them to be baptized “in the name of the Lord,” Acts 10:47-48. They were baptized, those who had “received the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit, just as Peter had” on Pentecost, Acts 10:47; Acts 2:1-4.
7. Peter and the seven returned to Jerusalem. They reported to the brethren what occurred in the city of Caesarea, Acts 11:1-17. All the brethren held their peace and gave glory to God, Acts 11:18. This event was the fulfillment of God’s promise to “pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh,” Acts 2:17. Peter rehearsed this event at the Jerusalem Council before the brethren, Acts 15:7-12. He was granted by Christ the promise to preach first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The great door of faith was open unto both the Jews and the Gentiles. We will now consider Paul’s preaching unto the Gentiles.
D. Paul’s preaching to the Gentiles. We must again return to Paul’s Letter to the Romans. He outlines his success in preaching to the Gentiles. Observe--
1. He wrote: “But I say, did Israel not know? Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me,’” Romans 10:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1-2.
a. Those that were found who had not sought the Lord were the Gentiles.
b. Peter called them the “afar off” on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:39.
c. Paul also called them the “afar off” in his Letter to the Ephesians, Ephesians 2:13.
2. These were the other sheep Jesus: “Had which were not yet of His fold. Them He would bring, and they would hear His voice, and there would be one fold and one shepherd,” John 10:16. In Ephesians chapter two, Paul discusses how the Gentiles had become part of the one body, the one new man: "Being no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” Ephesians 2:11-19; Ephesians 3:1-7.
3. To the Romans, Paul wrote: “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God:”
a. First, “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
b. Second, “I have therefore of which I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” Notice Paul’s affidavit of what Christ hath wrought by him:
1) “That I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,” Romans 1:13; Romans 1:16.
2) “That I enabled the Gentiles’ obedient, by word and deed,” Romans 1:5; Romans 16:25-26.
3) “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God,” 2 Corinthians 12:12; Acts 14:8-10.
4) Conclusion: Paul’s work among the Gentiles was done so they might become "obedient to the faith." These works were done through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God. Indeed, the "arm of the Lord" was being manifested through Paul's preaching of Christ among the Gentiles: that they might become obedient to the faith by word and deed: i.e., “hearing, believing and baptism,” Acts 18:8. To Corinth, he later wrote: “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11; Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13.
c. Third, “So that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum: I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.”
d. Lastly, “But as it is written: To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand,” Romans 15:14-21. What an excellent text to discuss Paul's work among the Gentiles. They were willing to be submissive unto the will and word of God, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. Paul told the elders at Rome, that the Gentiles would hear the word of God, Acts 28:28.
e. Conclusion: Paul, as the minister unto the Gentiles, had great success in preaching Christ unto these nations who were in search of the truth. It did not take great debate and dispute for these to hear, believe and obey the gospel's truth. Unlike the Jews, who spoke against the words of the prophet Isaiah and Paul: The Gentiles received the word of the Lord gladly.
1) This was in fulfillment of Peter’s words on Pentecost: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children (Jews), and to all that are afar off (the Gentiles), even as many as may call upon the Lord, our God…And with many other words, he testified and exhorted…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them,” Acts 2:39-41. They “gladly received his word,” not, “sadly, madly, or badly!” I wish I had some help in this lesson. Notice--
2) The verse (Acts 2:39) in The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament reads like this: “As many as may call to (the) Lord our God," Page 317.
3) Each of the souls mentioned in this text was: “Calling upon the name of the Lord to be saved.” God’s call to them and the world had already gone out through Isaiah’s prophecy, Romans 10:17-18. For a better understanding of Acts 2:39 and the other text mentioning God’s call.
NOTE: Download our lesson: “Calling upon the name of the Lord,” from SermonCentral.com, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. It discusses the verses: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” in Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Acts 2:39; and Romans 10:13. We are now ready to begin concluding this lesson. We are going to let Paul clarify what he meant in Romans 10:16-17. I thank you for your patience and cooperation.
4. Recall, I mentioned earlier we would return to how the Romans obeyed the gospel. We are now to discuss it while moving to a conclusion. You have been a wonderful audience today/tonight. Return with me to Romans, chapter 10, and let's look at verse 16 again. Stay with me; the answer is forthcoming.
E. Paul’s interpretation of the report. Paul wrote: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" Romans 10:16. Paul, in this text, ties it all up for us. As we earlier learned, the word "believed" includes obedience. Well, church, I ask:
1. What was not obeyed? Many today believe the report. But most have not obeyed it. I wish I had some help in this lesson. Paul ties together in this verse the words: “believed and obeyed.” Notice how he presents an explanation of what Isaiah meant in his report. Observe—
a. For they have not all obeyed the gospel. He begins to interpret the report with: “they have not all obeyed the gospel." Both Jews and Gentiles are declared to be disobedient. Though all have heard; not, all have obeyed, Romans 10:18; Colossians 1:3-6; Colossians 1:23.
b. For Isaiah saith, Lord: “Who hath believed our report?” The report was not believed by all the Jews and Gentiles that heard Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Therefore,
c. Isaiah meant, as Paul now interprets it: “they have not all obeyed the terms of the report." The terms of the report are: to hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:16-17.
1) What if we reverse the two sentences in this verse?
2) It would read like this:
a. One, “Lord, who hath believed our report?”
b. Two, “For they have all not obeyed the gospel,” Romans 10:16.
c. Three, noting this text in this order indicates Paul was answering: what they had not done, as well as having not believed. Stay with me, beloved in the Lord. I ask,
3) Wasn’t this Isaiah’s fundamental question: “Lord, who hath believed your report?” Israel has not considered being submissive or obedient to Isaiah’s report,” Isaiah 53:1; Isaiah 52:15; Luke 22:37. However, all of Israel had not been obedient to the report. However, many had been obedient, both Jews and Gentiles. Consider--
a) Priests were obedient to the faith, Acts 6:7; Acts 2:47; Acts 4:4; Acts 5:14.
b) A chief ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord, Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17.
c) Many Gentiles had become “obedient to the faith,” Romans 1:5; Romans 16:25-27.
d) The Galatians believed and obeyed but were being troubled by false teachers, Galatians 1:6-12; Galatians 3:1-4; Galatians 3:14. Paul had to defend his teaching of the gospel of Christ; and their obedience to it against the “men from James,” Galatians 2:1-16.
d. Jesus, before ascending into heaven, outlined His terms of obedience to the “good news,” Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16. If the Master is doing the saving, He has the authority to dictate what we must do to be saved, Matthew 11:28-30; John 5:37-40; John 6:44-45.
e. The question before us now is this: “Have you believed and obeyed the terms of the Lord’s report?” As a great company of Jews and Gentiles refused to obey His terms, so have many today. They have set their terms of obedience but have not "believed and obeyed" the Lord’s terms of His report. Let’s,
2. Notice how Paul links together: “they have not all obeyed the gospel;” with: “who hath believed our report?” Recall, Isaiah was writing by the revelation of the Holy Spirit about the Lord’s report. When he asked: “Lord, who hath believed our report?” Isaiah 53:1.
a. Paul is NOW writing by inspiration the interpretation of Isaiah’s prophecy: “Lord who hath believed our report;” to mean: “They have not obeyed the gospel.” Recall, Peter wrote: “Knowing this first, that: “No prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy never came by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,” 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Peter 1:10-12.
b. Therefore, the gospel message was the report that was not "believed and obeyed" by those who heard it, both Jews and Gentiles. And I sadly say, by far too many, even unto this day!
c. Isaiah was speaking prophetically regarding the report: "the gospel." Paul wrote from heartfelt experience after preaching, both to the Jews and Gentiles. Both heard it, but not all had "obeyed the gospel." What, then, is meant by obeying the gospel? I thought you would never ask!
3. Obeyed the gospel. To fully believe and obey Isaiah’s report means to hear the “good news,” believe it, and obey the terms outlined in the message to be saved. Paul wrote about how the Romans had obeyed the gospel. To see his answer, turn to Romans, chapter 6, verse 16. I will give you time to get there in your bibles. Are your eyes there? Observe,
a. First, “Know ye not, that to whom you yield yourselves, servants, to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16.
b. Further, “But God be (is) thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered (unto) you. Being made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness,” Romans 6:17-18.
c. Finally, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:22-23.
d. Conclusion: Here we have it! Paul is saying in this these verses. Let’s notice his summation--
1) First, to whom we yield ourselves to obey, that’s who servant we are: "whether of sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness," Romans 6:16.
2) Second, “We were servants of sin, but have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto us," Romans 6:17. The gospel message was obeyed:
a) From or “ek, out of the heart” and, not in, “en, in the heart.”
b) That “form ‘tupos’ of the doctrine.” A pattern of the gospel message itself: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. You have obeyed a form of that teaching. Stay with me; church, we are almost there.
c) “Which was delivered (preached) unto you.” This occurred when Paul had preached Christ unto them and when our ministers “delivered unto us the gospel message,” Isaiah’s report!
3) Third, “Being ‘de’ then (at that time) made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness,” Romans 6:18. It was “then” you were:
a) “Made free from sin.” You were released from sin; when? Then! When was then? When you obeyed out of your heart that form of the doctrine. At that time, you--
b) “Became the servants of righteousness.” Here it is again--
c) It was then, when you “obeyed,” you were made: “free from your sin.” What did you obey? That “form of the doctrine (teaching).” I pray you are following me in this lesson! Our last question--
d) What is that form of teaching? The form is a type of doctrine. It is our death by Him to sin, our burial with Him in water, and our resurrection in Him to walk in newness of life, Romans 6:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17. This form cannot be obeyed “in the heart;” it must be obeyed through faith and obedience “out ‘ek’ of the heart!”
e) This act of faith enables us to “fulfill all righteousness” unto God for the forgiveness (remission) of sins,” Acts 2:38; John 8:31-32. Jesus is our example of how to “fulfill all righteousness” and to become “pleasing unto God,” Matthew 3:15-16. It was in this act of obedience the Father spake from heaven: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17; Hebrews 5:8-9. Let’s see Paul’s conclusion of his summation--
4) Fourth, “But NOW being made free from our sin, and becoming servants to God, we have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life,” Romans 6:22.
5) Fifth, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:23; John 3:16. I trusted you had noted Peter's writing of the "new birth," as I mentioned to you earlier in the lesson? We will revisit this text, but, now within the context of Paul's Letter to the Romans, “in their obedience to the gospel.”
4. Peter wrote: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which liveth and abideth forever," 1 Peter 1:22-23. Peter states three things. Observe,
a. First, “we have purified our souls.” We have purified our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit. Or as Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Through the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26. Purification under the Law was always through divers “washing with water,” Leviticus 16:1-28; Numbers 19:7-9; Hebrews 9:9-17. These washings could never purify the soul.
b. Further, “in obeying the truth.” Notice, purification comes in our “obeying the truth.” The truth must be “heard, believed, and obeyed.” This is what many of the Jews and Gentiles had failed to do, like so many also have today: they have not obeyed the gospel.
1) They might obtain the “righteousness of God,” by submitting themselves to God’s terms of righteousness,” Romans 10:3; Romans 9:30-33.
2) God’s righteousness comes “through the faith in Christ, the righteousness which is by faith,” Romans 10:4; Philippians 3:9.
c. Finally, by being born again. Not by “corruptible seed, but incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever," 1 Peter 1:23. The "new birth" is the work of the Holy Spirit.
1) Jesus said it is only possible: “By being born out of the water, and of the Spirit,” John 3:3-5.
2) Paul wrote it occurs: “By the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Titus 3:5. The “washing of regeneration” or the “bath of regeneration” refers to the “new birth or being born again,” as Jesus taught in John 3:1-5. Observe--
3) B. W. Johnson wrote:
a) “Two elements enter into the saving; these are referred to in John 3:5 as the birth of water and of the Spirit. God's (S)spirit (affects) the renewal of the spirit of man by bringing him to faith and repentance through the preaching of the gospel; thus, the renewal of the Holy Spirit is begun, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is promised as a sequence of baptism. Romans 6:1-8 shows that the sinner dies to sin, is buried by baptism, rises to a new life, and is a new creature.”
b) “Washing of regeneration. Literally, (the) "Bath of regeneration." All commentators of reputation refer to baptism, such as Meyer, Olshausen, Lange, Plumptree, Schaff, Canon Cook, Wesley, etc. Regeneration is due to the Holy Spirit, but (the act of ) baptism is an outward act that God requires to complete the fact (or process of regeneration),” Page 290. The (insertions) are mine for emphasis or clarity to Brother Johnson’s comments. I submit them humbly.
d. Application: Now, we must apply what we have learned from our text of discussion. I will present a collation of Paul’s writing of this truth in many of his Letters to the saints. He wrote--
1) First, to the Corinthians: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11; Acts 18:8; John 17:17.
2) Further, to the Ephesians:
a) One, “In whom you also trusted, after that, you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also that you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13-14.
b) Two, “That He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26.
3) Next, to the Thessalonians:
a) One, “God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: He called you by our gospel,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.
b) Two, “That you walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory,”
1 Thessalonians 2:12-13.
4) Finally, to Titus: “But when…God our Savior appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy: He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Titus 3:4-7.
e. Analysis: Paul has given us more clarity about the "pattern of conversion" than any other apostle, evangelist, or minister of Jesus Christ. Observe--
1) First, in his letters to the church:
a) At Rome: “You have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine…Being then made free from sin,” Romans 6:17-18.
b) At Corinth: “But you were washed, sanctified, and justified in the Lord’s name; and, by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11.
c) At Ephesus: “Whom you trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: whom you believed, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13-14.
d) At Thessalonica: “God who chose you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth…to walk worthy, who called you into His kingdom and glory,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13.
e) At Crete: “But according to His mercy, He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Titus 3:5.
2) Peter wrote: “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…Being born again by the word of God,” 1 Peter 1:22-23.
3. Jesus said: “Being born again out of the water, and of the Spirit,” John 3:3-5.
4. Conclusion: It has been irrefutably established by the scriptures “obedience to the gospel” is through:
a. Being born again out of the water and the Spirit;
b. By purifying your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit;
c. Through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost;
d. Through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;
e. By hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise; and
f. By obeying out of the heart that form of doctrine…Being then made free from sin, in baptism “for the remission of sins,” or to “wash away our sins,” Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16. We have taken a holistic approach in answering Isaiah’s question: “Lord who hath believed our report?” Romans 10:16.
As I conclude, let's look at an example of conversion that brought about a nobleman’s obedience after questioning Isaiah's report. Turn to Acts, chapter 8, verse 26, as I extend heaven's invitation.
NOTE: You can download our lesson on the Ethiopian's Conversion, from SermonCentral.com, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. It outlined his conversion experience and illustrated Jesus’ teaching on the "new birth" in real-time. I humbly ask of those visiting: Have you obeyed Isaiah’s report? If not, here is how you can right now. Let’s review quickly--
5. The treasurer’s conversion. Are your eyes on the text? We are beginning our closing remarks. The Bible reads, paraphrase, and discuss the text. Close with, the condition of those that do not obey the gospel of Christ, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 4:16-19.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
3. Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report
B. Summarize main points.
1. We investigated how this question related to the Gentiles, who gladly received Isaiah's report. Paul wrote: “But I say, did Israel not know? Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me,’” Romans 10:19-20; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1.
2. The Gentiles had received Isaiah’s report gladly. Luke wrote: “So when the Jews went out of the synagogues, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached unto them the next Sabbath…On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God… When the Gentiles heard…they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region,” Acts 13:42-49.
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H, B. R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
We thank these prolific writers for their wisdom and insight into the Holy Scriptures.
