Power of the Resurrection: Acts 13:34-39
“34) As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35) Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ 36) For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; 37) but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 38) Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39) and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” Acts 13:34-39
Paul now focuses on the resurrection. This it what separated Jesus Christ from the Old Testament prophets like David and all religious leaders. He conquered death! The curse of sin, which is death could not hold Him. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. He defeated death… and proved it by His resurrection.
But Paul goes one step further in Romans 1:4. He points out that Jesus was “… declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the death.” All the Old Testament patriarchs died and decayed in tombs. The same was true for every world religious leader. Why worship a dead man? But Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He conquered death. He overcame the curse of sin. The message of the resurrection is the punch line in the Gospel message.
Paul then makes the point that this qualifies Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and free us from the curse of the Law. Those who want to live by the Law, die by the Law. Galatians 3:10 makes this abundantly clear. Romans 8:1-4 takes it even further. The good news of Jesus Christ is forgiveness, freedom and life. “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”; because we have been set free from the Law of sin and of death.
But Paul was speaking to legalistic religious people. They failed to understand his message. They were focused on self righteousness. They were so preoccupied trying to save themselves by their own good deeds they refused to accept the free gift of forgiveness and new life in Christ. They did not see themselves as sinful or lost.
When the Holy Spirit opens a persons heart to the gospel, it is as profound as when God spoke into the darkness of Genesis 1:2-3 and said; “Let there be light!” Suddenly darkness was replaced by light.
So it is with the lost and sinful man, woman or child who hears the gospel and responds with saving faith. They are born-again and filled with the Spirit of God. Their darkness is flooded with the light of Gods love, forgiveness and acceptance. They become children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
