How does Acts 13:43 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on grace and faith? Opening the Text “After the synagogue service had ended, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Paul’s Message of Grace in Acts 13:43 • Paul and Barnabas have just preached Christ crucified and risen (Acts 13:32-39). • Listeners receive that gospel, but Paul knows they must “continue in the grace of God.” • “Grace” here is present-tense, daily, empowering favor—more than a moment of conversion. • The encouragement to “continue” links the initial experience of grace with an ongoing walk. Grace and Faith Defined • Grace (charis): God’s unearned favor, power, and kindness toward the undeserving (Romans 3:24). • Faith (pistis): trustful reliance on the character and promise of God (Hebrews 11:1). • Grace is God’s giving hand; faith is the open hand that receives (Romans 5:1-2). Ephesians 2:8-9: The Foundation Explained • Salvation is entirely “by grace … through faith.” • Grace supplies; faith appropriates. • “Not from yourselves … not by works” underscores grace as a divine gift, never a human wage. Threads That Tie the Two Passages Together 1. Same messenger, same message – Acts 13 records Paul preaching; Ephesians is Paul writing. – A single gospel: grace initiates, faith receives. 2. Initial reception and ongoing persistence – Ephesians describes the beginning of salvation. – Acts urges believers to keep living in what saved them. 3. Guarding against drift into works-righteousness – Continuing in grace (Acts 13:43) resists the temptation to earn God’s favor after conversion. – Ephesians 2:9 reminds that works never were, nor ever become, the basis of acceptance. 4. Community encouragement – Paul and Barnabas “spoke to them” personally (Acts 13:43). – Ephesians was read aloud to nurture a whole church in grace (Ephesians 3:8-10). Continuing in Grace: Practical Implications • Daily depend on Christ’s sufficiency (Galatians 2:20-21). • Return to the gospel when sin or failure accuses (1 John 1:9). • Resist legalism and spiritual pride (Galatians 3:3). • Extend the same grace to others (Colossians 3:12-13). Living It Out by Faith • Faith is active, not passive: – Trust God’s promises (2 Peter 1:3-4). – Obey from the heart, empowered by grace (Titus 2:11-12). • The more believers grasp grace, the more faith grows (Romans 10:17). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Romans 5:1-2 — “through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” • Colossians 2:6 — “Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him.” • 2 Timothy 2:1 — “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Summary Truth to Carry Forward The saving grace that brought believers into God’s family (Ephesians 2:8-9) is the same grace they must continually rely on (Acts 13:43). Faith launches the relationship and sustains it, keeping the spotlight on Christ and leaving no room for boasting—yesterday, today, and forever. |
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