A while back, we took a look at the gospel the apostles preached and how the core of it seems to be somewhat different from the gospel that is often preached today.
What is the core? Jesus is Lord of all, the one God has anointed as our rightful King. (Again, “Christ” is not a name. Both “Christ” and “Messiah” are titles which mean, “God’s anointed King.”)
We see this message time and again in these two chapters.
“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” (Acts 17:3)
God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
Paul devoted himself to preaching the word and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 18:5)
For (Apollos) vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 18:28)
Everyone knew what the Paul and Apollos were saying, even if they rejected it.
The Jews, in accusing Paul, said this:
They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king—Jesus.” (Acts 17:7)
The gospel proclaims that our King has come and is re-establishing his kingdom. And we are all called to embrace his reign in our lives.
The question is, “Do we believe this is good news?” Is this something we embrace in our lives? And is it something we are so excited about that we can’t help but tell others?
I do believe it is good news. It excites me because I have experienced the joy of coming under his good reign.
How about you? Are you living out the joy of the gospel? Do others see it in you?
What is the gospel you believe and are living out?