Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Why should Paul’s audience believe what he is telling them about Jesus? Does he expect them to simply take his word for it?
On the contrary, Paul appeals to the evidence of prophecy from the Old Testament. Prophecies made hundreds of years before the time of Jesus. All of which came true in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Books of the Old Testament were the final authority for the Jewish people. Every Sabbath Day these Scriptures were read in synagogues everywhere in the world. These prophecies are well-known to them and to Paul.
Paul uses some of the same prophecies that Peter used in his first sermon about Jesus.
You are my Son; today I have become your Father... I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David… You will not let your Holy One see decay.
In this prophecy, God promises someone – His Son – that he will not see decay. Who could this be, since everyone dies and their body returns to the dust?
Paul points out the obvious. The prophecy could not have referred to David - For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay!
Jesus is the one who did not remain in the tomb. He arose, just as the prophecy foretold.
Those with a proper respect and knowledge of God’s Word believed Paul’s message about Jesus - The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
Today it is still the people who look to God's Word as the final authority that find out the truth about Jesus and how to become His students and change their lives!
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