Standing up, Paul motioned with his hands and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about 40 years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance.”
“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he have them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David Son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.”
“Brother’s, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that the message of Salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now witnesses to our people.”
“We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
Paul’s Words
“Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish,
for I am going to so something in your days that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.”
What I hear when I read this:
The God we serve is still the SAME God. We are still the SAME people. I’m convinced that we too would stand shouting “Hosanna!” and almost in that same breath shout “Crucify him!” We do it everyday in our own subtle ways. He is still constant. Still does not NEED us for a second, but continues to prove himself faithful. We are still unworthy in every way. Paul’s words scream a promise and a warning. He couldn’t be more clear.
I love it.
Erika Head 