Passage Read: Acts 12-13
Meditation Verses: 13:38-41
Thought
Paul's Gospel was simple and to the point, though he put it in historical context, partly to identify Jesus as the promised Messiah. But he declared Jesus as crucified and killed, buried, then raise to life on the third day by the power of God. He also mentioned the Apostles, who were witnesses. He doesn't include himself as a witness, but as a messenger, bringing the content of the Apostles' witness to these Jews and proselytes. Paul didn't doubt their witness, but confidently affirmed their witness pointed out where Scripture foretold Jesus' resurrection. The point of the Gospel is that now all men can be forgiven of their sins through faith in Jesus, and justified from all things the Law could not justify them. Interestingly, he goes on to warn them not to let the Scripture be fulfilled in their lives that said people would not believe even if someone told them! He's pleading for them to believe and warning them not to disbelieve.
Application
This is a great model message. The Jews were promised a king who would reign forever and lead them to rule all nations. Jesus was attested as from God by His miracles, but unbelieving men condemned and crucified Him. He was buried, but on the third day God raised Him from the dead. There were many who saw Jesus and continued to learn from Him; they testified to these facts. Because of this, forgiveness of sins and justification before God through Jesus are now proclaimed to all men, that those who believe in Jesus may be welcomed into His kingdom. Do not scoff at the death and resurrection of Jesus; it really happened! Please don't refuse to believe, but receive forgiveness through the living and risen Lord of all creation! The resurrection of Christ from the dead needs to be made clear, not as wishful thinking or creative imagination, but as fact. Because our eternal life depends on it. Our understanding and the significance of our own eternal life depends on it. The more firmly I'm convinced of that, the more it will change how I live and what I live for.