THE GOSPEL CONDENSED
Acts 13:38-39 NKJV
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Paul and Barnabas have been sent out by the Holy Spirit to begin the work assigned to them. I do find the wording interesting that the Holy Spirit was credited with calling them out and sending them out. These men had a pattern whenever they came into a new city. They would first go into a synagogue of the Jews and speak to them. Some of the Jews would believe, but eventually Paul and Barnabas would be kicked out of the synagogue and go to the Gentiles in that region. Our verses for today have been taken from Paul’s message in the Jewish synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.
Because Paul is speaking to Jewish people and those who have converted to Judaism, he recounts some of Israel’s history. Starting with Moses, the judges, Saul and David. Paul jumps to John the Baptist and then proclaims Jesus to them. It is a great strategy of connecting with their common ancestors, then presenting the One that the rulers put to death. Paul lays out a scriptural basis for Jesus being raised from the dead. Remember, these were the people who knew the Scriptures. When Paul preached to the Gentiles, he skipped Israel’s history and the validity of Scripture, knowing it would mean nothing to those without Jewish heritage.
Paul begins his conclusion with declaring that Jesus was raised from the dead by God, and saw no corruption, His body did not decay. And that brings us to our verses for today. Through this man, Jesus, is proclaimed the forgiveness of sins. That was a big statement to the Jews. Only God could forgive sins, and the Jews were used to animal sacrifices made every year for their sins to be covered for a year. Now Paul is proclaiming that through Jesus is forgiveness of sins.
And by Him, Jesus, everyone who believes is justified, made right with God. Something that the law of Moses could not do. By the law no flesh can be made right with God. If the law of Moses could have justified mankind, there would have been no need to send Jesus. And there was a word Paul used that had to be shocking to the synagogue. By Jesus, everyone who believes is justified. I have heard the word justified described as just as if I’d never sinned. Get it? Just as if I’d. It’s a word picture I heard over forty years ago and never forgot. But the shocking word was everyone who believes. Not everyone from the tribes of Israel, or everyone who has converted to Judaism. Everyone who believes.
APPLICATION
Paul’s message is the gospel condensed. Forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Being made right with God through Jesus. Both are available to everyone who believes in Jesus. So simple, yet so powerful. Our sins have been forgiven. Don’t try to figure out if your sins are big or small in God’s eyes; all have sinned. Don’t compare your sin level with that of some heinous criminal. We all needed forgiveness. But don’t keep identifying with being the old sinner. You have been made right with God through Jesus and forgiven through Jesus. That’s the gospel condensed.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord Jesus! Through You, I am forgiven and made right with God. And I am eternally grateful.