ALL MEN ARE UNDER LAW TO CHRIST

Acts 17:30-31

Intro.

1.  Does the law of Christ apply to the lost ("alien")?

2.  Some have been persuaded there are 2 laws in force today: A "universal moral law" governing/judging alien sinners, & the gospel for saints.

3.  The authority of Christ is universal - Jno. 17:2; Matt. 28:18.

4.  Christ rules over two classes of people: Psa. 110:1-3.  How?

  a.  "Rod of thy strength" -- "Word of His power"--Heb.1:2-3; Isa. 2:3.

  b.  With one gospel - Lk. 24:47; Rom. 1:16.

5.  Acts 17:30-31 - Here we see this truth applied.

I.  AUDIENCE OF ALIEN SINNERS - 17:16-23.

  A.  God Is Proclaimed To Them - 17:34-29.

    1.  Rom. 1:18-32 describes them: Under wrath due to rejection of God & elevation of man.

    2.  These are the ones some brethren are saying are under a "universal moral law" prior to conversion.

    3.  Let us see if that bears out in the Biblical text.

II.  PAUL PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO THEM - cf. 17:18, 30-31.

{Repentance of sins / Righteous living / Day of judgment / God’s judge / Resurrection of Jesus}

  A.  One Command Of Repentance Given To All - 17:30.

    1.  All men, everywhere are under the same command from God!

    2.  This is not 2 laws paralleling each other!

    3.  One call to repentance to which all men are answerable:

      a.  One gospel convicts all sinners of their sin - Jno. 16:8-9.

        (1)  One must be under (answerable to) law to be convicted as a sinner by it! - Rom. 4:15; 5:13.

        (2)  i.e., the gospel could not convict men as sinners if those men were not first under it!!}

      b.  One gospel is the remedy for the sins of all men - Rom. 1:16.

         -Therefore, all men are under/answerable to the gospel:  Convicted by it as sinners, and saved from sin by blood of Christ!

  B.  One Standard Of Judgment Now Applied To All Men:   Righteousness - 17:31.

    1.  Revealed by the gospel - Jno. 16:8-10; Rom. 1:17

      a.  Cf. Acts 24:24-25 - Preached the faith...righteousness!

      b.  Tit. 2:11-12 - God’s grace, proclaimed in the gospel, is the standard of righteousness by which Christ shall judge the world!

    2.  Not two laws of righteousness paralleling each other!

  C.  One Judge Over All Men - Christ - 17:31.

    1.  Christ judges based upon his authority (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:16).

    2.  His authority is revealed/executed via His word (gospel)!

    3.  Therefore, all men are under the gospel by which the Judge will judge all men! - Jno. 12:48.

  D.  An Assurance Of The Day Of Judgment Given All Men: The Resurrection Of Christ - 17:31.

    1.  The gospel news of the resurrection assures all men that all will be judged by Jesus Christ - Not just Christians!

    2.  Therefore, the gospel applies to all men.

III.  REACTIONS TO THE ONE GOSPEL - Acts 17:32-34.

    -(cf. Some Athenians mocked resurrection, others intrigued, others accepted.)

  A.  Some Reject The Truth That All Are Under Law To Christ - v. 32.

     -E. C. Fuqua, James D. Bales, Homer Hailey (see Quotations)

  B.  Some Are Undecided - v. 33. cf. 1 Kgs. 18:21

  C.  Some Cleave To The Truth - v. 34.

Conclusion

1.  Christ has one gospel which rules all men - All are accountable to it, and must obey it to be saved.

2.  All conduct not authorized by the gospel of Christ is sin against Christ, whether committed by the alien sinner or the Christian.

3.  Repent our your sin & obey the gospel -- Christ shall judge you by it in the last day! (Jno. 12:48)