Committed to God's Grace vs. Commended to the Lord's Grace vs. Commended to God and the Word of His Grace

 

Committed to God's Grace vs. Commended to the Lord's Grace vs. Commended to God and the Word of His Grace

Acts 14:26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they [Paul and Barnabas] had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

Acts 15:40 But Paul chose Silas and went out also, and the brothers commended him to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

 

Analysis Item	Committed to God's Grace (Acts 14:26)	Commended to the Lord's Grace (Acts 15:40)	Commended to God and the Word of His Grace (Acts 20:32)
Basic Meaning	Being committed to God's grace to complete work	Being commended by the brothers to the Lord's grace	Commending believers to God and the word of His grace
Core Concept	Grace as the driving force and power for work	Grace as commission and protection	The word of grace as a tool for building up and perfecting
Nature of Grace	• The Triune God becoming life and everything • The resurrected Christ as the life-giving Spirit • A living Person operating within	• The resurrected Christ as a living Person • The embodiment of God the Father • The all-inclusive life-giving Spirit	• The Triune God Himself as enjoyment and inheritance • The word of God's rich grace • Truth and reality
Temporality	Past perfect tense (work already completed)	Present progressive tense (ongoing ministry)	Future-oriented (for future building up)
Subject/Object	Barnabas and Paul (first missionary journey)	Paul and Silas (second missionary journey)	The elders of Ephesus (future shepherding)
Function of Grace	• Power to accomplish work • Driving and operating force • Enabling work completion	• Power for commission and protection • Beginning of new ministry • Recognition and commitment from brothers	• Power to build up saints • Way to obtain inheritance • Tool for sanctification and perfecting
Mode of Operation	• Internal driving force and operation • Pushing from inside out • Manifestation of resurrection life	• External commission and commitment • Church's recognition and support • Action of faith	• Nourishment and building through the word • Sanctifying work of truth • Process of life building
Specific Situation	After completing the first missionary journey, returned to Antioch to report to the church all that God had done through them	Paul chose Silas to begin the second missionary journey, commended by the brothers for sending and prayer	Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders in Miletus, preparing them for future shepherding work
Result/Goal	• Giving glory to God • Witnessing God's works • Reporting God's mighty deeds	• Beginning new ministry • Receiving church support • Moving forward in faith	• Saints being built up • Obtaining inheritance in sanctification • Growth and maturity of life
Practical Application	Attitude after work completion: • Recognizing all achievements are works of God's grace • Witnessing God's work to the church • Offering thanksgiving and worship for God's grace	Preparation before ministry begins: • Seeking the Lord's grace before new service • Receiving support and prayer from church brothers and sisters • Taking steps of ministry in faith	Way of continuous growth: • Continually receiving nourishment in God's word • Building spiritual life through God's word • Obtaining God's eternal inheritance in sanctification
Characteristics of Grace	• Drove Paul to labor more than all apostles • Made the chief of sinners the foremost apostle • Testimony and manifestation of resurrection	• Brothers' recognition showed it was done right • The Lord's grace as protection and guidance • Beginning of new phase of ministry	• Word that can build up saints • Enables obtaining inheritance in sanctification • Blessings related to divine life
Mutual Relationship	Sequential: Completion phase - thanksgiving for past work	Sequential: Beginning phase - commitment for new ministry	Sequential: Continuation phase - for ongoing building
Related Scriptures	• 1 Cor 15:10 - God's grace made Paul what he became • Acts 14:26 - Committed to God's grace to complete work • 1 Tim 1:15-16 - Testimony of the chief sinner receiving grace	• Acts 15:40 - Commended to the Lord's grace by brothers • Acts 18:22 - End of second missionary journey • 2 Tim 2:1 - Be strong in the grace in Christ Jesus	• Acts 20:32 - Commended to God and the word of His grace • John 17:17 - Sanctify them in truth • 2 Tim 3:16-17 - God's word profitable for all teaching • Col 1:12 - Share inheritance with all saints • 1 Pet 1:4 - Inheritance reserved in heaven
Theological Significance	Accomplishing nature of grace: The Triune God as resurrection power operates within believers, making impossible work achievable and manifesting God's glory	Commissioning nature of grace: The church, under the Spirit's guidance, commits ministers to the Lord's grace, beginning new gospel work and spiritual warfare	Building nature of grace: The word of God's grace has sanctifying and building power, causing believers to grow in divine life and obtain eternal inheritance

Integration of the Three Relationships

Complete Grace Cycle:

1.      Commended to the Lord's Grace → Beginning ministry (starting point)

2.      Committed to God's Grace → Completing work (in process)

3.      Commended to God and the Word of His Grace → Continuous building (continuity)

Triple Function of Grace:

• Commissioning Grace: Enables one to begin ministry
• Accomplishing Grace: Enables one to complete work
• Building Grace: Enables one to continue growing

Core Truth:

Grace is the Triune God Himself becoming our life and everything, manifesting His riches in different ways at different stages, enabling us to serve, grow, and obtain eternal inheritance in Him.

 

*Please refer to April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and the Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 6 Grace in Acts