Preaching in Pisidian Antioch (2): Christ’s Death and Resurrection <Ac 13:26-41>

Prologue:

* Paul’s preaching was Christ-centred.

* First, he showed how the Old Testament was pointing towards Christ, and then talked about how Christ died and was resurrected.

* Paul’s message was similar to Peter’s message at Pentecost and Stephen’s words before he was martyred.

* Why did Luke repeat this long message several times?

1) To prove the consistency and authenticity of the gospel.

2) To prove that Christianity is a historical fact.

3) To show that while Paul was preaching the same gospel, he could make it relevant to different groups of people.

Read <Ac 13:26-41>

1. <v26>: Target of Paul’s message: Jews and God-fearing gentiles.

2. <v27>: God fulfilled His purposes through the ignorance of Jews and their rulers.

3.  <v28-29>: Man’s foolishness, God’s wisdom.

(1) Human sin considered the sinless one as guilty and executed Him.

(2) Through this, God fulfilled His great salvation.

4. <v30>: God raised Him from the dead.

5. <v31-32>: For many days the risen Christ appeared to people, who became His witnesses.

6. <v33>: “Today I have begotten you.”

“Begotten” is not giving birth in the biological sense, but a delegation of authority.

7. <v34-35>: Christ’s resurrection is one which will not be subject to decay.

8. <v36-27>: Examining the example of King David.

* Is his psalm talking about himself, or another person?

* Is David begotten by God? Is his body not subject to decay?

* Luke was not discussing theology or moral ethics, but what happened in history.

* Luke wanted to prove:

1) Jesus is sinless.

2) Although He was executed by sinners, God raised Him from the dead.

3) He is the Son of God, the Messiah prophesised in the Old Testament.

4) He is the only One who was raised with a body that is not subject to decay.

* After knowing these truths, there are only two options:

(1) Be justified by faith.

(2) Scoff at Him and perish.

9. <v38-39>: Forgiveness of sins and justification = reconciliation with God.

1) God forgives our sins = no longer sees us as enemies.

2) God declares us as righteous legally = judges us as without sin.

10. <v40-41>: Be careful of the sin of scoffing God.

* Although there is someone who tells us the absolute truth, we do not believe.