The Turning of the Ages: From Kingdom to Grace

The Turning of the Ages: From Kingdom to Grace

The Kingdom Still Offered (Acts 1-7)

The book of Acts opens with the risen Christ speaking to His apostles of the kingdom of God. Their question is simple, almost childlike in its hope: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The expectation is alive, the promises of the prophets still ringing in their ears. When Peter stands to preach at Pentecost, he does not announce a new programme but calls Israel to repentance so that “the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send Jesus Christ” (Acts 3:19-20). The kingdom is still on offer, the prophetic hope still extended to the nation.

Yet the story takes a darker turn. In Acts 7, Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, rehearses Israel’s long history of resisting God’s messengers. His words cut deep: “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51). The leaders, enraged, drag him outside the city and stone him. This is more than the silencing of a preacher; it is the nation’s climactic rejection of the Messiah and His witness. With Stephen’s death, the prophetic appeal to Israel as a nation reaches its close. The kingdom offer is refused, and the stage is set for God to reveal something entirely new.

The Damascus Road: A New Apostle (Acts 9)

Into this moment of rejection and scattering steps the most unlikely figure. Saul of Tarsus, breathing out threatenings and slaughter, sets out for Damascus to crush the followers of Jesus. But on that road, heaven breaks in. A light shines, a voice speaks, and the persecutor falls to the ground. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4). In that instant, the enemy of Christ becomes His chosen vessel.

The Faith of Christ

The Faith of Christ

Did You Know… the phrase “the faith of Christ” appears in the KJV, but is missing in most modern translations?

It’s found in verses like Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9, and Romans 3:22. 

Here’s Galatians 2:16:

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…”

Notice—it doesn’t say “faith in Christ,” but “faith of Christ.” That’s a profound difference.

Modern versions often change it to “faith in Jesus Christ,” which shifts the focus to our belief. But the KJV preserves a deeper truth: we are justified by His faithfulness, not ours. It’s His perfect obedience, His trust in the Father, His finished work that secures our standing.

In this age of grace, salvation is not about our performance or even the strength of our faith—it’s about Christ’s faithfulness, received by grace through faith.

So when you read “the faith of Christ,” let it remind you: your assurance rests not in how tightly you hold on to Him, but in how perfectly He held fast to the Father—for you.

The Confession Trap: What This Verse Doesn’t Say

The Confession Trap: What 1 John 1:9 Doesn’t Say

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Confusion

Many believers are taught that this verse is a daily requirement for maintaining salvation or staying “in fellowship” with God. Some even fear that unconfessed sin breaks their relationship with Christ or causes them to lose salvation. This leads to a performance-based mindset, where forgiveness is seen as conditional and uncertain.

The Context

1 John was written to address false teachings and to affirm the truth about Jesus Christ. The opening chapter contrasts light and darkness, truth and deception. Verse 9 is part of a broader appeal to unbelievers who claim to have no sin. John is not prescribing a ritual for believers to regain fellowship, but offering a gospel invitation to those who deny their need for forgiveness.

Justification assures glorification

Justification assures glorification

The gospel of grace and its resulting salvation is a gift that God freely provides to the one who believes in the cross work of Jesus Christ; that by His death we are forgiven and by His resurrection we are justified.

Paul provides us assurance of this perfect work to save us and bring us to peace and atonement with God. However, Paul continues to provide more details of this incredible gift of salvation. Read the two verses and let me elaborate on them,

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God’s salvific work does not stop at our justification. The cross work of Jesus Christ was so complete and effectual that if utterly guarantees glorification to the one who believes in Christ. Did you get that? I’m going to say it again as it is worth reading again and its worth remembering that these are the inspired and assured words of God! “The cross work of Jesus Christ was so complete and effectual that to the one who believes in Christ it utterly guarantees their glorification.”

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 6): Eternal Security (Continued…)

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

In a previous post, we learned that we can know that we have eternal life. It is vitally important that each of us have this absolute assurance. Thus, I will devote a second post to this critical topic.

Sealed with the Holy Spirit

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Notice the progression in verse 13: First you hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; Secondly, you believe in Christ and His death for your sins; Thirdly, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. (1. Hear the gospel; 2. Believe the gospel; 3. Sealed with Holy Spirit) Everyone who hears the gospel and believes it, is sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 5): Eternal Security

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 5): Eternal Security

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

In a previous post we learned the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins. The last lesson taught us that salvation cannot be gained through any merit on our part. We must trust in Christ and His death on the cross for our sins. Now we come to two vitally important questions about salvation. Is it possible to know that you have salvation? After believing the gospel, is it possible to lose your salvation?

Assurance of Salvation

Will you go to heaven when you die? Having asked many people this question, I have received answers such as: "I hope so"; "I think so"; "I don't know"; and "No one can know until he dies." Let us consider this important question: Is it possible to know that you have salvation? Some would say that it is a sin of presumption to say that you know that you are saved. They insist that no one can know this until his life ends and he comes before God. What does the Bible say?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).