Good afternoon friends,
Today I'm really excited for Alan's concert at Laurelton with a great picnic lunch for all. I hope you can make it from 1:30-3. The weather couldn't be better, and I know it's going to be a great time.
Our passage continues with the early church leaders discussing how and whether gentiles coming to faith in Christ need to follow the law of Moses in terms of food and circumcision. The outcome is important, but today I want to focus on the process. People listen to each other and take turns sharing their experience. That's a good way to approach most difficult decisions: listening and honest conversation.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 15:6-21
6The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.
10Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” 12The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,16‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, 17so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18known from long ago.’
19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.21For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
healing blindness, part 3
Good evening friends,
We've seen the man born blind telling his story and the religious leaders unable to reconcile the situation to their beliefs. Here the story turns truly compelling. The religious leaders turn to fear and threats, while the man becomes more and more sure of the magnitude of what Jesus has done. I love his testimony because he doesn't claim to know everything, or even much about Jesus, but he is willing to follow the truth. He sticks by that truth even though it's going to cost him.
In our times this is a great example. We don't have to understand everything about our faith or the Bible. We don't have to have all the answers. All we need to do is tell our stories of what God means to us. Those stories are powerful, even though it can be scary to tell them.
God bless,
Sam
John 9:24-34
24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”
28Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
We've seen the man born blind telling his story and the religious leaders unable to reconcile the situation to their beliefs. Here the story turns truly compelling. The religious leaders turn to fear and threats, while the man becomes more and more sure of the magnitude of what Jesus has done. I love his testimony because he doesn't claim to know everything, or even much about Jesus, but he is willing to follow the truth. He sticks by that truth even though it's going to cost him.
In our times this is a great example. We don't have to understand everything about our faith or the Bible. We don't have to have all the answers. All we need to do is tell our stories of what God means to us. Those stories are powerful, even though it can be scary to tell them.
God bless,
Sam
John 9:24-34
24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”
28Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
Monday, March 24, 2014
testimony without certainty
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Christianity is sometimes associated with aggressive certainty, so one of the things I love about John is that people give testimony without knowing everything. Faith is important, but we don't need to know everything. Here, the Samaritan woman Jesus has been talking to shares her excitement about Jesus, even while she's still not sure what to make of him. We'll see today that her testimony is still powerful, even though it's not certain. We don't have to have it all figured out; we just need the courage and honesty to follow where we're led.
God bless,
Sam
Sam
John 4:28-42
28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him.
31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?”34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”
Saturday, January 18, 2014
bearing witness
Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
Today's reading continues John's vision of heaven. Here we meet some faithful disciples of Jesus who were killed for their faith. One of the key points of Revelation is witness. The call of Christians then and now is to bear witness to God's love with their words and actions. Here we see that witness and faithfulness can be hard, even deadly. We also see that many people will be disciples of Jesus and that in the end things will be right.
God bless,
Sam
Sam
Revelation 6: 9-17,
9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; 10they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” 11They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.
12When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,16calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation 7: 9-10, 13-17
9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Monday, October 8, 2012
another view of Christmas
Good evening friends,
Today's reading is the Christmas story from a cosmic perspective. We see portents (signs) of Mary giving birth to Jesus and we see how much of a threat to Satan that is. Satan tries to kill Jesus at birth and tries to take over heaven. But Michael, the archangel defeats Satan in heaven, and God protects Mary and Jesus on earth. That leaves Satan with no target but the church on earth. The lesson to take away from this story is that the power of evil is going to persecute the church, but in the end, God's victory is sure. Notice again that the church conquers Satan by testifying to Christ, even when it means risking our life.
God bless,
Sam
Today's reading is the Christmas story from a cosmic perspective. We see portents (signs) of Mary giving birth to Jesus and we see how much of a threat to Satan that is. Satan tries to kill Jesus at birth and tries to take over heaven. But Michael, the archangel defeats Satan in heaven, and God protects Mary and Jesus on earth. That leaves Satan with no target but the church on earth. The lesson to take away from this story is that the power of evil is going to persecute the church, but in the end, God's victory is sure. Notice again that the church conquers Satan by testifying to Christ, even when it means risking our life.
God bless,
Sam
Revelation
12:1-12, 17
A great
portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under
her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2She was pregnant
and was crying out in birthpangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3Then
another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and
ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4His tail swept down a
third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood
before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her
child as soon as it was born. 5And she gave birth to a son, a male
child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was
snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6and the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there
she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.
7And war
broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The
dragon and his angels fought back, 8but they were defeated, and
there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9The great dragon
was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the
deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels
were thrown down with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven,
proclaiming, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our
God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been
thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11But
they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
12Rejoice
then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the
sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath, because he knows that
his time is short!”… 17Then
the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of
her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of
Jesus.
Friday, March 23, 2012
proclaiming under trial
Good morning friends,
Peter and John have been arrested by the religious leaders for healing and teaching in Jesus name. Instead of backing down in fear, they continue to confess their faith boldly, which makes an impression even on their opponents. Notice too that they don't get nasty or rude in their defense, they simply tell the truth boldly and clearly. I pray God would give us the same spirit in our life and witness today.
God bless,
Sam
Peter and John have been arrested by the religious leaders for healing and teaching in Jesus name. Instead of backing down in fear, they continue to confess their faith boldly, which makes an impression even on their opponents. Notice too that they don't get nasty or rude in their defense, they simply tell the truth boldly and clearly. I pray God would give us the same spirit in our life and witness today.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 4:11-20
11This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
15So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. 16They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Thursday, March 22, 2012
testifying to rulers
Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
I hope you have a chance to enjoy this incredible afternoon that God has given us today. Today's reading continues the story from yesterday. Paul and John healed a disabled man in the temple, then testified to the gathering crowd that Jesus was actually responsible for the healing. Hearing the story of Jesus made a difference for many people in the crowd, but they weren't the only ones to notice. The religious leaders noticed what Peter and John were up to as well, and they didn't like it one bit. It's exciting to see how Peter, who ran and lied when Jesus was arrested, is able to testify to Jesus now with boldness when he is arrested himself. The Spirit will give us the strength we need to be Jesus disciples, no matter what situation we're in.
God bless,
Sam
I hope you have a chance to enjoy this incredible afternoon that God has given us today. Today's reading continues the story from yesterday. Paul and John healed a disabled man in the temple, then testified to the gathering crowd that Jesus was actually responsible for the healing. Hearing the story of Jesus made a difference for many people in the crowd, but they weren't the only ones to notice. The religious leaders noticed what Peter and John were up to as well, and they didn't like it one bit. It's exciting to see how Peter, who ran and lied when Jesus was arrested, is able to testify to Jesus now with boldness when he is arrested himself. The Spirit will give us the strength we need to be Jesus disciples, no matter what situation we're in.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 4:1-10
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
5The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
trial evangelism
Good morning friends,
Today Paul finishes his defense with an evangelical bang. He's already told Festus and Agrippa about his amazing call to ministry on the road to Damascus. Now he tells how he went out in mission to proclaim the good news and how the new thing he proclaims is really only what the prophets said would happen. He ends with a pitch to Agrippa since he expects he already knows about the movement.
When Agrippa asks, half mocking and half disbelieving, if Paul is trying to make him a Christian, Paul tells the truth: he wants everyone to believe in Christ. As he tells us, Paul's mission is to proclaim God's love in Christ to a wide range of people, "to both small and great." His ministry has brought him to trial and even that is an opportunity for testimony. For Festus and Agrippa the irony of the situation is that, rather than setting him free, Paul's appeal to the emperor is now what is holding him prisoner as he waits for the voyage. Of course, for Paul the travel ahead will also be a ministry opportunity. Lord, give us eyes to see how we can reach out in love to others too.
Blessings,
Sam
Acts 26:19-32
19“After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: 23that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. 26Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” 29Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.” 30Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those who had been seated with them; 31and as they were leaving, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor.”
Today Paul finishes his defense with an evangelical bang. He's already told Festus and Agrippa about his amazing call to ministry on the road to Damascus. Now he tells how he went out in mission to proclaim the good news and how the new thing he proclaims is really only what the prophets said would happen. He ends with a pitch to Agrippa since he expects he already knows about the movement.
When Agrippa asks, half mocking and half disbelieving, if Paul is trying to make him a Christian, Paul tells the truth: he wants everyone to believe in Christ. As he tells us, Paul's mission is to proclaim God's love in Christ to a wide range of people, "to both small and great." His ministry has brought him to trial and even that is an opportunity for testimony. For Festus and Agrippa the irony of the situation is that, rather than setting him free, Paul's appeal to the emperor is now what is holding him prisoner as he waits for the voyage. Of course, for Paul the travel ahead will also be a ministry opportunity. Lord, give us eyes to see how we can reach out in love to others too.
Blessings,
Sam
Acts 26:19-32
19“After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: 23that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. 26Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” 29Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.” 30Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those who had been seated with them; 31and as they were leaving, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor.”
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sharing conversion
Good morning all,
Paul continues his defense this morning by telling the story of how he went from persecuting the church to helping it to spread. We've seen Paul tell this story several different times in Acts, because it is the foundation of his ministry as an apostle. Jesus appeared to him in a bright light and called him to be the apostle to the gentiles. This story tells Paul's listeners a lot about Paul. His hope is that people will see that he shares their beliefs and even shared the zeal to persecute the church before God changed his mind. That will help them understand that the Way of Jesus isn't something new and twisted, but is what God promised to do through the Law and the prophets.
God talks to us in many different ways, but God's presence is what gives us power for ministry. Most of us haven't had an experience of God like Paul did. For many of us we have to practice listening to hear God's voice because it is a quiet voice wedged in among many others. Some of us experience God most clearly in community, in service and fellowship with others. Some experience God best outside in the beauty of creation. Others find God in scripture or in song. Wherever we find God it's important for us to make time to be open so God can lead us. God didn't stop speaking when the last book of the Bible was finished, and God still has plans for each of us if we seek that quiet voice to hear what they are.
God bles,
Sam
Acts 26:8-18
8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9“Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. 11By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.
12”With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. 14When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ 15I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. 17I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Paul continues his defense this morning by telling the story of how he went from persecuting the church to helping it to spread. We've seen Paul tell this story several different times in Acts, because it is the foundation of his ministry as an apostle. Jesus appeared to him in a bright light and called him to be the apostle to the gentiles. This story tells Paul's listeners a lot about Paul. His hope is that people will see that he shares their beliefs and even shared the zeal to persecute the church before God changed his mind. That will help them understand that the Way of Jesus isn't something new and twisted, but is what God promised to do through the Law and the prophets.
God talks to us in many different ways, but God's presence is what gives us power for ministry. Most of us haven't had an experience of God like Paul did. For many of us we have to practice listening to hear God's voice because it is a quiet voice wedged in among many others. Some of us experience God most clearly in community, in service and fellowship with others. Some experience God best outside in the beauty of creation. Others find God in scripture or in song. Wherever we find God it's important for us to make time to be open so God can lead us. God didn't stop speaking when the last book of the Bible was finished, and God still has plans for each of us if we seek that quiet voice to hear what they are.
God bles,
Sam
Acts 26:8-18
8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9“Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. 11By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.
12”With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. 14When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ 15I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. 17I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
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