“…through this man forgiveness of sin is proclaimed to you…” (Acts 13:38)
Bible Reading: Acts 13:32-41
Having announced the coming of the Messiah in Jesus, Paul goes on to show his listeners in the synagogue in Antioch how God fulfilled his promises to their fathers by raising Jesus from the dead (Acts 13:32).
First, he shows how the resurrection of Jesus brings to pass the words of Psalm 2:7, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” The resurrection of Jesus marked the commencement of his rule as God’s messianic King, a rule that would subdue all the nations to him as his inheritance.
Next, in raising him from the dead, and delivering him from corruption, two more promises are fulfilled. In receiving authority to rule over all things, Jesus was given the “holy and sure blessings of David.” And furthermore, Psalm 16:10 was fulfilled: “You will not let your holy one see corruption.” These words, originally uttered by David, cannot have been meant for him. “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up, did not see corruption” (vs. 36-38).
Having grounded the message about Jesus in the Scriptures, Paul then goes on to declare the good news connected with his resurrection. “Let it be known to you, therefore brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him, everyone who believes is freed [justified] from everything from which you could not be freed [justified] by the law of Moses” (vs. 38-40).
This is where Paul’s message is heading – the announcement of the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This was the message Jesus sent his followers into the world to proclaim. He told them that “forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). That is what we see happening here.
But there is one more phase to Paul’s message, a warning not to ignore it. “Beware,” he says, “lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: ‘Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you’” (vs. 40, 41; quoting Habakkuk 1:5). Centuries before, the prophet had spoken to Israel about a work God was doing “in their days.” He knew, however, that people would not believe it, even if someone told it to them. Sadly, their destiny was to “perish.” Paul warns his synagogue listeners not to let that happen to them – not to respond to this “work of God in their day” with unbelief.
Our circumstances may be different, but our calling is the same. We are to tell people about Jesus and his death and resurrection. We are to announce to them the forgiveness of sins through faith in him. And we are to warn them of the dire consequences of not believing in him.
Closing Thoughts:
- Are people today inclined to scoff at the good news of what God has done in Christ?
- Do we warn them of the consequences of this as we should?