The Gospel that Paul preached: Forgiveness of sins

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past, Romans 16:24-25 MEV

 We've been in a study of the Gospel that Paul preached. In the beginning, we said wouldn't it be great to have an actual recording of one of the Apostles actually preaching? Wouldn't it make it clear for us what the Gospel actually is? The good news is we have a recording of the Gospel Paul preached, it's found in God's Word.

 In Acts 13 we see the full message Paul proclaimed. So far we've seen that the Gospel Paul preached was nothing but Good News. That is the faithfulness of God, Jesus is alive, and that salvation is found in Him. 

 Today let's continue examining this beautiful message Paul preached;

Jesus is greater

As we stated from the beginning of this series, the audience Paul is preaching to is Jews in the Synagogue and based upon the passage apparently Gentiles could somehow hear the words Paul is preaching as well. 

 

It is possible there was a special section that Gentiles were allowed to enter to hear the words of one speaking. I don't want to speculate further as the passage doesn't tell us how they heard, but it does say they did hear.

 

So Paul had a diverse audience but he directed his words to the Jews. He pointed out one of the greatest saints in the Old Testament. He points to David. 

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. Acts 13:36-37 NKJV

 

 Paul masterfully points out that Jesus is greater. The point Paul makes is Jesus is greater than any natural man. He is greater than any Old Testament hero. He is greater than any of your traditions.

 Jesus is greater. Greater than any achievements of man. Greater than any esteemed man on Earth, be it, king or priest. Jesus is greater and worthy of all our praise.

The Forgiveness of Sins

The most important thing Paul preaches in His Gospel is the main theme. That our sins are forgiven once for all time because of Jesus. Paul proclaimed the forgiveness of sins.

38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; Acts 13:38 NKJV

The Gospel Paul preached wasn't a message preaching about sin and darkness. He didn't preach about how sinful and unworthy the masses are. He didn't preach how God is so angry at your sins and sinfulness and shortcomings. No, Paul proclaimed the Good News. He proclaimed the forgiveness of your sins, not the remembrance of your sins.

 I wonder how often the audience Paul is addressing had heard message after message about how often they fell short and messed up? I wonder how often they heard messages designed to remind them of their sin but not giving them hope for their condition? I wonder their hearts reaction upon hearing that there is forgiveness for their sins?

 Paul proclaimed a message of hope and healing. He preached the Good News Gospel of Jesus. He pointed these people to Jesus. He pointed the people to the greater One, not to their sins and failures, and their traditions that kept them where they were without hope. 

 It would do us good if preachers today would preach the message Paul preached. Instead of railing about sin and darkness why not preach the solution? Instead of preaching about how far people have fallen short, why not remind them no matter how far they've fallen, and yes there are real and lasting consequences for sin, but no matter how far they've fallen and what consequence they're experiencing there is still forgiveness in Christ? 

 In summation, let's preach the Gospel that Paul preached. Jesus is greater than all, all positions or riches of men. Greater than any tradition of men. That there is total and complete forgiveness in Jesus. There all your sins are forgiven in Christ. Truly Paul proclaimed glad tidings for all, for whosoever would receive. 

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The Gospel that Paul preached: Good News

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past, Romans 16:24-25 MEV

 We've begun a new study examining the Gospel that Paul preached. With the various voices speaking about the Lord and what the Gospel is, it would be nice to actually hear one of the Apostles actually preach the Gospel. The good news is that the book of Acts records a sermon, a message Paul proclaimed. In this passage, we can see what Paul really preached. 

 So far, we've seen the first two things Paul proclaimed. The Faithfulness of God and Jesus Himself. He proclaimed Jesus, the most important aspect of the Gospel. Let's continue this journey and see more of what Paul preached.

The word of Salvation, Good News

“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those of you who fear God, the word of this salvation has been sent to us. Acts 13:26 MEV

Paul goes on to proclaim this word of salvation. That is Good News. Salvation is Good News not bad news! Think about it. Paul right here is letting the people know that salvation has come. Paul is heralding glad tidings.

 Salvation gives the invitation to partake of a new life in Christ. To receive a new heart. To have all your past wiped away and to begin again. To have your present and future forever secured in Him. To be made alive in Him. Salvation is Good News.

Jesus is alive

 30 But God raised Him from the dead, 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people. Acts 13:30-31 MEV

Paul then proclaims Jesus is alive! Again this is good news. We aren't speaking of a dead figure. We aren't speaking of a good man who taught to be kind to one another but is rotting in a grave somewhere just as other poets, philosophers, and purported prophets and messiahs are. 

 Jesus is alive! Jesus is the risen victorious King of kings! Jesus is the only One who wrote a will, sealed it with His own blood, and rose again to ensure that all that is written in the will is carried out exactly as He proclaimed. We serve a risen Savior, not a dead poet or philosopher or pretend prophet. 

Good News

“We preach to you good news: The promise which was made to the fathers, Acts 13:32 MEV

 Now we come full circle to the main point of this study. Paul preached the good news, not bad news. This proves beyond doubt, as Paul himself confirms it, the Gospel is Good News! 

 In the Gospel, there is no place for any bad news. There is no place for mad news or sad news. That is, the Gospel isn't a message proclaiming God loves you if, or God loves you but, that is bad news. The Gospel isn't sad news, that is, God loves you now you must live in misery and subjection to all this world and the enemy brings your way. That you are powerless to overcome in this life. The Gospel isn't mad news, that is God loves you but doesn't like you. That He is angry at you when you miss it or blow it. 

 The Gospel is Good News! The Gospel is the hope for this world. It is the light for a darkened world. It water to the thirsty soul. 

 In summation, Paul proclaimed the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ. He proclaimed Christ Jesus is alive. He proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation in Christ. He heralded good news. That is what we should be proclaiming today, good news! God's not mad at anyone. He isn't sending the earthquake but He heals the heartbreaks! Good news.

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The Gospel Paul preached

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past, Romans 16:24-25 MEV

 In the modern church age, there are many voices speaking. Many proclaim a message of God's Goodness and Love. Many proclaim His mercy and great Grace. Still, others, proclaim messages leaving people with the impression God is angry with them. That God is disappointed in them. That they've let God down.
 
When these differences in tone and messaging arise, wouldn't it be great if we could just have one of the Apostles come back to Earth and proclaim the Gospel and settle the "debate" so to speak? Wouldn't it be great if we could just interview Paul or Peter? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a CD or Mp3 of a message Paul proclaimed?
 
I have some good news. We actually have recorded for us a message Paul proclaimed. If we would just hear what Paul is saying, we'd see what the Good News Gospel really is. We would see what God's heart is. 
 
In Acts 13, we have recorded for us the Gospel Paul preached. In this message, we see a full picture of what the Gospel is. Of what Paul went around proclaiming. See the full passage here.
 
Over the next few posts, we are going to look at what Paul preached. We are going to see the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's begin this journey.
The very first thing Paul proclaimed was the Faithfulness of God. Paul reminded the listeners how God raised up and protected the Nation of Israel. He recounted the origins of Israel and God's protection and provision.
 
Jesus
 
23 “From this man’s descendants God has raised a Savior for Israel, Jesus, according to His promise. Acts 13:23 MEV
 
 The Faithfulness of God

We must be continually reminded of His all the time Goodness and continued Faithfulness. The Lord is Faithful and His mercies are new every single day. God has never left us or forsaken us. He is faithful, even when we are faithless. This is a truth we must always be mindful of.

Immediately after reminding the hearers of God's Faithfulness to Israel Paul proclaimed the Lord Jesus Christ. What else is more important to preach than Jesus Himself? Jesus is the message.

Jesus is the message. Jesus is the Savior! Jesus is our all in all. Jesus is our only hope. Jesus became something He never was, sin-separated spiritually, so we could become something we've never been, Righteous-accepted-approved-forgiven. 

In summation, these are the first two things Paul proclaimed. Knowing and understanding what Paul preached, gives us better insight into what we should be proclaiming to a lost and fallen world. This is the Gospel Paul preached. 

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