2/28/16

Acts 13:30-52 – The Witness of the Old Testament & The Sure Salvation of God (Isaiah 55:3)

Matt Roessler

When Paul, Steven, and Peter speak to nonbelievers they make arguments for God’s hand at work throughout history in order to bring about assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Verse 33 references Psalm 2.

Note that compilation of Scripture was already established. Psalm 2 for Paul is the same Psalm 2 we know today.

PSALM 2

·         Vs 1-3. Attack by the nations against the Lord and his anointed.

·         Vs 4-6. God responds to the nations. “I have installed my King on Mt. Zion.”

·         Vs 7. The Messiah, now reigning, speaks. “He says to me, You are My Son, this day have I begotten Thee.”

Paul challenges them to consider “who is this King?”

CONCLUSSION: Paul proclaims the events described in Psalm 2 were fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (mentioned a few verses earlier in Acts 13).

·         Gentile and Jewish leaders crucified God’s anointed.

·         Messiah was vindicated by his resurrection.

·         Jesus body will never decay.

Verse 35 references Isaiah 55 & Psalm 16

ISAIAH 55

·         Vs 1-2. Invitation to come to the Lord and receive blessing without cost.

·         Vs 3. God gives an everlasting salvation through the “sure mercies (unfailing kindness)” of David à2 Samuel 7.

·         Vs 4-7. The gentiles will run to the Lord and receive kingdom blessings.

Ø  He will shower mercy on those who come.

Ø  He will abundantly pardon (who is a pardoning God like thee?).

CONCLUSSION: Paul proclaims Christ’s kingdom is not an earthly one, but an eternal and heavenly one.

·         Christ was made of the seed of David in the flesh. (Romans 1:3)

·         Inviolable covenant realized in Christ.

·         Christ is King! (Ps 89:18, Acts 13:24, Acts 13:26, etc)

PSALM 16

·         Vs 7-9. Christ’s unswerving loyalty, devotion, and obedience to the Father is answered by…

·         Vs 10-11. …His loyalty and kindness to Christ by not allowing him to see corruption by raising Him from the dead and filling Him with joy at God’s right hand.

CONCLUSSION: Since Christ is king and was raised from the dead after dying for the sins of humanity, it is true that…

·         Only through Christ can one have “forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 13:38)

·         All  who believe the forgiveness of sins are free from the condemnation of the law.

(Acts 13:39)

JUSTIFICATION

Justification is a theme of this portion.

·         Justification means, “To declare someone righteous.” (The King declares that you are right.)

·         Justification comes only by divine decree by God. (God’s decrees, unlike mankind’s, DO NOT change. It is eternal and inviolable.)

·         Justification is never repeated nor revoked. (You cannot be justified one day and not justified a week later.)

·         The validity of Justification is solely dependent on Christ. Not us.

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·         Religion urges/teaches moral behavior, but justification is unique to the gospel.

·         Morality and holiness is necessary and good, but they are not enough. Justification comes only through Christ (Col 3:1-4).

Verse 45. Our lot in sharing the good news is frequent rejection. Nonbelievers envy rather than rejoice.

Verse 46. Be bold! Many will reject, but seek those who will receive.

Verse 47. Rejoice for the souls ordained to eternal life.

NOTE: The word of God is an essential aspect of Paul’s argument. Acts emphasizes the Word of God being spread abroad. In this passage alone, the Word is mentioned in verses 7, 12, 44, 46, 48, and 49. We should never minimize or ignore the Word of God as we witness, study, and learn.