Jesus' death made forgiveness for my sins possible.

Part 1

In our verse for today, Paul and Barnabas are visiting in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch.  As the Jewish custom was, after the reading of the Old Testament scriptures, the leaders of the synagogue invited Paul and Barnabas to speak to the worshippers (v. 15).  Paul gladly used this opportunity to preach Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,”
As Paul preached, he wanted the men of Israel to understand that from God’s Word, all that Paul has said about God working, and the Christ coming through King David’s line, all is true and needs to be known to each of them.  (If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read Paul’s message, verses 16-41.)1

In verse 26, salvation is offered to the Jews and to the “God-fearers.”  The rulers of the Hebrew people crucified Jesus because they did not understand what the scriptures said (v. 27).  Jesus’ death, His sacrifice for man’s sin, and all that they did to Him was fulfilled prophecy (v. 29).  And it was God that raised Jesus from the dead (v. 30).  Jesus’ resurrection was witnessed by many people, and it was a fulfillment of Psalm 16:9-10.  The rest of Paul’s message was his powerful appeal for the people to trust in Jesus Christ (vv. 38-41.)

Everything Paul preaches points to Jesus as the only way to salvation and forgiveness of sins.  Come back tomorrow and see why Jesus Christ is the only One who can forgive our sins.

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me2
Augustus M. Toplady

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2 Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy laws demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3 Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

1.  Time and available space keep me from sharing an exegetical study of this message here.  This sermon is a great study for every believer and especially future preachers. 😎
2.  “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” Author, Augustus M. Toplady (1776); Music, Thomas Hastings (1830).  Copyright status, Public Domain.