Glad Tidings

 

Acts 13:30 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.' (NKJV)

 

The time is A. D. 45 and Paul’s First Missionary Journey has begun. Paul, Barnabas and their party have come to Antioch in the province of Pisidia in Asia Minor, present day Turkey. 

As was their custom, Paul and his party attended the synagogue in Antioch on the Sabbath. After the reading of the scriptures, Paul and his party were given the opportunity to speak. Paul launched into a lengthy message detailing the history of the Jews concluding with the finishing work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This message was the first account of a message from Paul on his missionary journeys and was likely a pattern for all of his future preaching. 

We pick up Paul’s sermon as he speaks of the resurrection of Christ (v. 30). Next, Paul cited eyewitnesses to prove his point of the resurrection. The disciples had personally witnessed Jesus’ activities during the days following His resurrection and preceding His ascension back to Heaven (v. 31). 

Paul claimed that he was declaring to the Jews “glad tidings”, good news, regarding the promise that had been made to their forefathers (v. 32). God’s promise to David was that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This promise had been fulfilled by the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 33a). 

First Paul cited the birth verse, Psalm 2:7b,: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You” (v. 33b). Next, Paul addressed the resurrection by citing two verses: “I will give you the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3) and “You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10) (vv. 34-35). Thus Paul, by citing these three scriptures, establishes David’s throne forever through the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

So Paul’s message to the Jews is that Jesus Christ is their forever king, the Messiah. However, this is not a welcome message. This is not the message of Judaism. According to them, Jesus Christ is not their Messiah. 

There is more to come in Paul’s sermon. However, even though Paul’s message is one of “glad tidings”, the devout Jews would reject it. By now they have heard all they want to hear. They have heard enough to know that Paul is not one of them. 

He had been one of them, but now Paul was a Christian. The birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Christian represents “glad tidings”, good news, the gospel. During this season we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the Savior, and with His coming we who believe in Him have the promise of resurrection, eternal life. He is the reason for the season. 

Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary