What does Acts 15:17-18 teach about God's control?
Acts 15:17-18 declares that the Lord who calls Gentiles by His name is the One who does all these things. It teaches that the sovereign God is in control of everything, and that all His works are known to Him from the beginning of the age, so nothing catches Him by surprise.
Les explains that James, having insight into Paul's revealed Gospel for the Gentile world, sees that God will call out a people for His name from among the Gentiles. The quotation from Acts 15:17-18 affirms that the Lord who calls Gentiles by His name is the One who does all these things, and that all His works are known to Him from the beginning of the age. Les emphasizes that this reveals the sovereign God is in control of everything, and nothing catches Him by surprise.
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
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