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ACTS 28: 23, 24

"BELIEVE IT OR NOT"

I. PERSUADING THEM CONCERNING JESUS.
        A. How?
                1. Through the Law of Moses (Torah..
                        a. Began with Adam.
                                1. "For by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
                                   sin."
                                2. If by one man's sin all born from him sinners, so by one 
                                   man's righteousness all born...
                        b. Reminded them of Abraham offering Isaac.
                        c. Of Joseph being sold by his brothers.
                        d. Of God's law through Moses (Lamb of Egypt).
                                1. "The soul that sinneth it shall surely die."
                                2. "For without the shedding of blood..."
                                3. God's instituted sacrifices could not put away sin...only
                                   speak of a better hope.
                2. Through the prophets.
                        a. Psalm 22. 
                        b. "Stone set at naught."
                        c. The suffering one of Isaiah 53.
                        d. The righteous branch of Jeremiah, Jehovah Tsidkenu.
                        e. The coming of God's glory of Ezekiel.
                        f. The Messiah that was to be cut off, Daniel.
                        g. The Son out of Egypt of Hosea.
                        h. The humble king of Zech., pierced one.
        B. What did he persuade them?
                1. That Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
                2. That His sacrifice is the only acceptable way to God.

II. THE RESULTS OF PAUL'S PERSUASION.
        A. And some believed the things that were spoken.
                1. What happened to them?
                        a. Their guilt and sins were taken away.
                        b. Their lives entered a new dimension-spiritual.
                        c. They became sons of God (John 1:12..
                        d. Their spirits upon departure entered into God's glory and I 
                                shall see them there someday.
        B. "And some believed not."
                1. What happened to them?
                        a. They continued their vain search for meaning and purpose.
                        b. Their lives remained empty, void.
                        c. The weight of their guilt continued to plague them.
                        d. Their sins continued to enslave them.
                        e. Their spirits remained dead.
                                1. The thought of knowing God ridiculous.
                                2. The though of communicating with God insane.
                        f. When their souls left their bodies, they descended into Hades  to
                           await the final day of judgment.
                You are in one of the two categories today.
                Some of you believe, some do not.