Study 26. Acts 13:4-52

By -

For Thought and Discussion: 
Why can a person be acquitted only by merciful forgiveness, never by justice according to the Law (see 13:38-39)? See Romans 1:18–3:20; 7:7-12.
 
This idea is expressed in  
Gal 3:24: "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Rom 3:20-21: "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."

"Frred" (dikaioo) is often translated 'justified' - to be declared innocent.  The Law, though good an perfect (e.g. Psalm 119) in that it shows the nature and will of God, nevertheless condemns us in our sin and shows how all fall short of God's glory. in the OT as well as in the NT, it is meant to drive us to rely on grace, not through effort. The Law points us to faith Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law (Mt 5:17, Ro 10:4)  ("So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith" Gal 3:24)


Forgiveness was an important term for the blessings offered through Jesus in the sermons of Peter (2:38; 10:43). It is less common in Paul’s writings than might have been expected (Rom. 4:7; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). This is because Paul preferred the idea of justification, the legal sentence of acquittal which expresses essentially the same thought,... Only through believing in Jesus can a person be put in the right with God. It is precisely this idea which is expressed here by the verb freed (Marshall)
 
So now for the Christian, the Law restrains evil in society, reveals sin and leads us to trust in Christ and guides us in holy living.

5. In the first part of his sermon, Paul traces Israelite history. What episodes does he mention? 
13:16-19 The stay in Egypt, the Exodus and the wilderness wandering before entry into Canaan
13:20-22 God giving judges and kings, including David, the man after God's own heart.
13:23-25 Jesus is David's descendent, in fulfillment of God's promises
13:26-31 The Jews had not recognized their Messiah or understood the Scriptures rightly and had condemed Jesus. Jesus had been executed but was raised from the dead, after which he appeared to witnesses.
 
Paul's speech complements Stephen's. The latter showed how Israel had rejected God's appointed leaders. Paul stressed God's action and grace in providing leaders.

The first of the three texts cited is from Psalm 2:7, a psalm that describes the opposition of the nations and their rulers to the Lord’s anointed one, i.e. the ruler of his people. ..The Psalm was recognized as applying supremely to the Messiah... The second and third quotations are closely linked. Paul is concerned in verse 34 with the fact that when God raised Jesus from the dead he entered upon a new existence which would not lead back to death and the consequent corruption of his body. The word corruption is taken from Psalm 16:10, which has already been cited to similar effect in 2:25–28 in Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, and is now cited again as the third of Paul’s quotations (verse 35): verses 36f. then make the point that clearly Psalm 16 cannot be applied to David himself; he served the will of God in his own generation, and died an ordinary death which led to corruption, but Jesus’ body did not suffer corruption after death (Marshall)
 
6. Next Paul explains the significance of these events. What has God promised the Jews that He has now fulfilled (see 13:32-37)? 
The Messiah was given and confirmed by resurrection from the dead.
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. (Je 23:5-6)
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Study1. Acts Overview (I)

By -
 1. Look at Luke’s prologue to his whole work (see Luke 1:1-4). What does he say Luke-Acts is meant to be?    "...to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us... to write an orderly account...t hat you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." An accurate narrative from eyewitnesses   O rderly To bring certainty about received teaching     2. In Acts 1:1-2, Luke summarizes volume 1 (Luke’s gospel) as an introduction to volume 2 (Acts). He says the gospel is about “all that Jesus began to do and to teach” until His ascension into heaven forty days after the resurrection. If Luke’s gospel is about what Jesus began to do and to teach, what is Acts probably about?   All that Jesus continued to do and to teach via His apostles.  3. What does Acts 1:8 tell you about the purpose of the book?...
Read more

Study 5. Acts 2:14-42

By -
 3. Peter says that the babble of languages is a sign of something greater than drunkenness. What does the sign demonstrate (see 2:15-21)?  God's work. Fulfillment of prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring, and the opportunity for salvation.   4. Next Peter recounts the key facts of Jesus’ life (see 2:22-24).  a. How could the Jews have known that Jesus was a special person sent by God (see 2:22)?   ' mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst' b. How did Israel respond to Jesus (see 2:23)?  ' you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men '. The teachers of the Law had acted contrary to the Law in causing Jesus to be killed by Gentiles. ' delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God ' cf. Acts 4:28 -  a powerful affirmation that God's permissive/decretive will is often fulfilled through the breaking of His revealed/prescriptive/preceptive will.   c. What was the crucial event of Je...
Read more

The Joy of Forgiveness - sermon at FFMC 24/11/24

By -
The King’s Authority In His Kingdom: Forgiveness   And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.  9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” A...
Read more