“… they asked Pilate to have him executed… But God raised him from the dead…” (Acts 13:28, 30)
Bible Reading: Acts 13:26-31
We continue to examine the message Paul brought to Jews and God-fearers in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. It bears careful study and can guide us in how to tell others the good news about what God has done in Jesus.
We noted yesterday that having surveyed Israel’s history up until King David, Paul then introduced the idea that “from this man’s offspring, God has brought a Saviour to Israel, as he promised” (Acts 13:23). Now he tells his listeners about that Saviour.
The first thing he does is point out that the Jews in Jerusalem were responsible for the death of the promised Messiah. “For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognise him or understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed” (vs. 27, 28).
It is interesting to note that Paul – like Peter before him – does not shy away from blaming his fellow-Jews for what happened to Jesus. They were accountable for what they did, even though they acted ignorantly. Much as we might like to give people only the “good news” of the gospel, it is vital that we help them to see that all of us, like the Jews of old, are guilty for our rejection of God. It is only as people see themselves as rebels and alienated from God that they will ever truly repent and turn back to him seeking mercy.
When they do, we have a wonderful story to tell them. It is the fact that Jesus did not stay dead and rot in the tomb in which he was laid (v. 29). Rather, he came to life again. “But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people” (vs. 30, 31).
The gospel story does not end with the death and burial of Jesus but carries through to his resurrection. This is where our hope lies – not simply that God made Jesus a sacrifice for human sin, but that being fully satisfied with that sacrifice, he raised him to life again so that we might be freely justified (Romans 4:25).
Paul would have his listeners, and we today as well, know that these things are not fables. For after his resurrection, Jesus showed himself alive “by many proofs” (1:3), providing credible witnesses to the fact that he was alive. Our faith has a solid historical basis and is well attested by many eye-witnesses (see also 1 Corinthians 15:5-9).
The death and resurrection of Jesus must always be at the centre of our gospel proclamation. Our starting point in our witness will often be in some other place, but we must always end up with Jesus and these two great facts about him.
Closing Thoughts:
- Do you help people see their sin and guilt when you witness to them?
- What makes the resurrection such good news?