READ: Ezra 1,2; Psalms 18; Acts 13:13-52
SCRIPTURE: Acts 13: 38 “Therefore, my
friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is
proclaimed to you.
39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a
justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
OBSERVATION: Right after his conversion, Paul started to preach the
Gospel and became a powerful preacher who expounded the scriptures to prove that
Jesus is the “Son of God” and “the Messiah” (Acts.9:20-22). In Acts 13, we see the
first recorded sermon of Paul, almost 15 years after he preached his first sermon.
Here, Paul relates Jewish history with the life of Jesus to prove Jesus is the
son of God. In verses 38 and 39, with his sensible presentation of Jesus to the
Jewish audience, Paul speaks of the crux of the Gospel—salvation, the forgiveness
of sins, and justification. He challenged them to believe in Jesus Christ to
receive something they could not gain through the law. Paul’s choice of words
such as “I want you to know,” “proclaimed to you,” and “everyone who believes” urge the listeners to pay attention and take
action to believe in Jesus. Jews who heard Paul’s message may have been surprised
about the new teaching about Jesus that they could get the blessings of God
free of cost, without doing any works. Earlier, they “were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
But now, they can receive God’s gift when they believe in Jesus. Not only Jews, anyone who believes in Jesus can receive
salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and justification. The Gospel of Jesus is
relevant to anyone who hears it and in all the times. One cannot earn the gifts
of God by doing something or following the law. Do we know this truth and
believe in Jesus? All we need to do is “only believe.”
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 200
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