The Resurrection is Central to the Gospel Message

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Peter and John are called before the Sadducees

As you read today’s Bible reading*, note how Peter and John connect the dots between the Gospel they preach and Jesus’ Resurrection. You may have heard me say before that “the Sadducees were sad, you see, because they didn’t believe in the Resurrection”. Oftentimes that sect clashed with Jesus because of this central doctrine and historical reality.

As the Disciples explained themselves to the Sadducees, they kept driving home that the Jewish leaders were responsible for Jesus’ death and that He had indeed been raised from the dead. (4:2, 10) They tell the Jewish leaders that they will continue to talk about what they have witnessed. As we continue reading through the book of Acts, you’ll also see them highlight the Resurrection in their messages.

Application

The Resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of the Gospel message. Either Jesus was raised from the dead or He wasn’t. Paul even goes so far as to say that if Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, the Christian faith is invalid. (1 Corinthians 15:14)

Historians have noted that the Resurrection of Jesus is one of the most provable events in history. Paul says there were over five hundred people who saw Jesus after His resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:6) Imagine having to sit through a trial and hear the testimony of over five hundred eyewitnesses!

Spend a few minutes praising God for sending Jesus to die for our sins and for not leaving Him in the grave. Jesus’ Resurrection proves His power over the curse of sin. And thank God that the very same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, if you are a Believer. (Romans 8:11)

Wow!

* Today we are reading Acts 4.

This devotional was originally published on January 26, 2020.


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