A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF THE GOSPEL
Acts 13:38-39 NKJV
38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
This chapter contains Paul and Barnabus being sent out by the Holy Spirit. In an interesting choice of words, the sending was attributed to the Holy Spirit. It seems as if the early church was much more conscious of the role and operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This chapter also contains the message that Paul delivered in the synagogue at Antioch. Paul and Barnabus would start their ministry in each city in the Jewish synagogues. Eventually, they would be kicked out of the synagogues and go preach and teach among the Gentiles. My speculation is that some variation of this sermon was preached by Paul in every synagogue they entered. Paul covers the history of Israel from Egypt, the judges, the prophets, and the kings. Paul jumps from David to Jesus, but it’s a very concise and powerful message.
Our verses for today sum up the gospel in two short verses. Of course, all the aspects of who we are in union with Christ are not mentioned, but two important truths come out.
The first is that through Jesus is proclaimed the forgiveness of sins. We can’t look past this important truth. Paul was preaching to people who had not received Christ, so these folks were unsaved. The good news to the unsaved is that Jesus paid the price for our sins, and complete forgiveness is offered through Him. A sense of unforgiveness plagues mankind. They may try to cover it up with distractions or dull it with outside influences, but it’s there. One of the biggest changes in adults who receive Christ is the burden-lifting sense of being forgiven. What wonderful news.
The second important truth is being justified or made right in God’s sight. Paul declared that everyone who believes in Jesus is justified, made right, with God. No longer would the Jews struggle to be justified by keeping the law of Moses. The problem was not with the law but with mankind’s inability to keep it to the full. The good news to the Jews in the synagogue at Antioch was that, finally, they could be made right with God. But it was not by their efforts but by faith in Jesus and what He accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection.
APPLICATION
This thumbnail sketch of the gospel is still as potent today as it was two thousand years ago when Paul preached it. Mankind still searches for forgiveness and justification before God. Now, we are the carriers of this message. The message is you can’t cleanse yourself or work your way to God. But God’s grace has been given to mankind through Jesus. Now, all those who believe in Him can receive forgiveness of all they have ever done wrong because all have sinned. And now, all those who believe in Jesus can be made right with God apart from any effort on their own. What a wonderful gospel!
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for forgiveness and justification. I could not do this on my own, so You took care of it for me. I am forever grateful.