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JULY 6
Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. the congregation had broken up, many of the
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30 But God raised Him from the dead. He was Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and
seen for many days by those who came up with Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded
Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His wit- them to continue in the grace of God.
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nesses to the people. And we declare to you
glad tidings—that promise which was made to
the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their
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children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is
also written in the second Psalm: 13:39 justified from. This is better translated
“freed from.” you could not be justified by
the law of Moses. Keeping the Law of Moses
did not free anyone from their sins (Rom.3:28;
1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; Phil. 3:9). But the
13:29,30 tree…tomb…God raised. The Old atoning death of Jesus completely satisfied the
Testament predicted the crucifixion of Christ demands of God’s law, making forgiveness of
on a cross (Ps. 22; Deut. 21), at the time when all sins available to all who believe (Gal. 3:16;
this particular form of execution was not used. Col. 2:13,14). Only the forgiveness Christ offers
His burial in a “tomb” was also prophesied (Is. can free people from their sins (Rom.3:20,22).
53:9), yet victims of crucifixions were com-
monly tossed into mass graves. The climax of 13:43 devout proselytes. Full converts to
Paul’s message was the resurrection of Christ, Judaism who had been circumcised.continue
the ultimate proof that Jesus is the Messiah in the grace of God. Those who are truly
and the fulfillment of 3 specific prophecies saved persevere and validate the reality of
(vv. 33–35). their salvation by continuing in the grace of
God (John 8:31; 15:1–6; Col. 1:21–23; 1 John
2:19). With such encouragement, Paul and
‘You are My Son, Barnabas hoped to prevent those who were
Today I have begotten You.’ intellectually convinced of the truths of the
gospel, yet had stopped short of saving faith,
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no from reverting to legalism rather than
more to return to corruption, He has spoken embracing Christ completely.
thus:
‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: came together to hear the word of God. But
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when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to filled with envy; and contradicting and blas-
see corruption.’
pheming, they opposed the things spoken by
36 “For David, after he had served his own Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and
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generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was said, “It was necessary that the word of God
buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but should be spoken to you first; but since you
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He whom God raised up saw no corruption. reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of ever-
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38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that lasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For
through this Man is preached to you the for- so the Lord has commanded us:
giveness of sins; and by Him everyone who ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
39
believes is justified from all things from which That you should be for salvation to the
you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken ends of the earth.’ ”
in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days, 13:51 shook off the dust from their feet. The
A work which you will by no means Jews’antagonism toward Gentiles extended to
their unwillingness to even bring Gentile dust
believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ” into Israel. The symbolism of Paul and
Barnabas’s act is clear that they considered the
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, Jews at Antioch no better than heathen.There
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the Gentiles begged that these words might be could have been no stronger condemnation.
preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when
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