The Gospel Proclaimed Boldly
.... In 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, Paul defined the gospel message to include four elements, which were always present when the gospel was proclaimed. Those elements were as follows: 1. An understanding of who Jesus is (see Romans 10:9)
2. That Jesus died for our sins, according to the Scriptures;
3. That He was was raised again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;
4. And that He was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses.
.... In the passage below, God worked through the apostles to heal a lame man at the temple. This episode brought them into conflict with the Sanhedrin, the religious governing body of Israel -- the very same group who had that earlier condemned Jesus, and had Him crucified. The apostles have just been allowed to speak for themselves, so they have boldly proclaimed the gospel to these men (Acts 4:8-13,20). Please read their message and see if you can locate the four points of the gospel within the apostle's words. The answers and some further commentary will appear in the ‘comments’ section:
8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9. If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10. let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus . . . 20. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
For the next lesson, click here
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 10
posted by loren at 2:10 AM
6 Comments:
Peter has preached the gospel before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-13,20). The four points of the gospel were proclaimed as follows:
1. Who is Jesus:
"This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone (11) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (12)
2. Jesus was crucified for our sins according to the Scriptures:
. . . whom you crucified (10)
3. Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures:
. . . whom God raised from the dead (10)
4. Jesus was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses:
And they realized that they had been with Jesus (13); "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (20)
Commentary: it is not necessary to get in all of the information at once. Peter came back to the fourth element at a later time in the same discussion. Just so it is all included.
By
loren, at 4/22/2005 2:14 AM
Below is another example, if you would like to try again. Peter has been summoned to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Through this, the gospel is preached to the Gentiles for the first time. This passage appears in Acts 10:36-43:
36. "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-- He is Lord of all-- 37. that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41. not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
By
loren, at 4/22/2005 2:15 AM
Answers to the example above, when Peter preached the gospel at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:36-43)
1. Who is Jesus:
He is Lord of all (36); how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (38); ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead (42).
2. Jesus was crucified for our sins according to the Scriptures:
whom they killed by hanging on a tree (39); To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins (43)
3. Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures:
Him God raised up on the third day (40); ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead (42)
4. Jesus was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses:
And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem (39); showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead (40, 41); To Him all the prophets witness (43)
Commentary: Peter does not quote actual Scriptures about Jesus’ death or resurrection; in this case he relies on the listener’s own prior knowledge to fill this role: "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached . . .” If we know that prior knowledge exists, it is safe to build on it. But if there is any doubt, it is better to explain some of the ‘big picture’ first.
By
loren, at 4/22/2005 2:17 AM
Below is one more example, if you would like to try again. In this example, Paul, is preaching at the synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13:23-38).
23. "From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior-- Jesus-- 24. after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25. And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' 26. Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28. And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30. But God raised Him from the dead. 31. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32. And we declare to you glad tidings-- that promise which was made to the fathers. 33. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.' 34. And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.' 35. Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' 36. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37. but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. . ."
By
loren, at 4/22/2005 2:18 AM
Paul has preached the gospel at the synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13:23-38). The four points of the gospel message were explained as follows:
1. Who is Jesus:
God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus- (23); One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' (25);
2. Jesus was crucified for our sins according to the Scriptures:
because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are rread every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. "And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. "Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb (27-29) "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins (38)
3. Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures:
"But God raised Him from the dead (30); He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You.' “And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.' "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption (33-37).
4. Jesus was seen, after His resurrection, by many witnesses:
"He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people (31).
Commentary: Paul is in a synagogue, and takes time to go into more detail with an audience he knows will be familiar with the Scriptures. He quotes numerous prophecies, and even describes where to find them. This is a very careful and complete presentation of the gospel, including even the burial of Christ, which is technically a part of the gospel’s definition though usually not discussed (1 Corinthians 15:4).
By
loren, at 4/22/2005 2:19 AM
What I find exciting about this is that it displays that both old and new testament scripture points solely to Jesus. Old testament prophecies and new testament fulfillment, all centered on Christ. He really is the Alpha and Omega!
By
Anonymous, at 7/29/2006 10:45 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home