"And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that, He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee."
Acts 13:32-33
Part 3
Yesterday: God’s Ancient Promise to the Fathers
“How that the promise which was made unto the fathers.”
The Redeemer is coming!
Today: The Promise is Fulfilled with Jesus’ Resurrection
“God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again.”
“God hath fulfilled.”[1]
And it is a “complete fulfillment”[2]
“The Greek word here may be rendered ‘hath completely fulfilled,’—completely, because in the resurrection, which is here about to be mentioned, the ascension and exaltation of Messiah are both involved.”[3]
“The same unto us their children.”
The promise “to the fathers” and “unto their children, even us” was fulfilled with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
“He does not say that every part of the promise had reference to his resurrection, but His being raised up completed or perfected the fulfillment of the promises which had been made respecting Him”[4] (Barnes).
“Hath raised up Jesus again.”
According to this context, this must refer to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (see verse 34).
“This is necessary to the Apostle’s argument, which is on the resurrection of Jesus as a proof that He was the Messiah. The quotation which follows need not refer alone to the birth of Jesus into this world. He was also the first-begotten from the dead, the firstfruits of them that slept.”[5]
“As it is also written in the second psalm.”[6]
In Paul’s message to the synagogue that day, he borrows a scripture from the psalms that will explain Jesus’ relationship to God the Father.
“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Psalm 2:7).
Paul said that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead vindicated His preaching and works, which He shared with the Children of Israel during His ministry with them.
In Psalm 2, “God has laughed at the counsel and ravings of the wicked, and now Christ the Anointed himself comes forward, as the Risen Redeemer, ‘declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.’ Romans 1:4” (Spurgeon).
Jesus’ resurrection confirmed His sonship. Jesus is the Son of God. Tomorrow we will take a closer look at these words, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” See you then!
Quote:
Jesus has been declared by His Father to be the Son of God! “For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4a). And so shall we! “For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4b).
[1] “Hath fulfilled,” is the Greek, ekplēroō, “metaphorically to fulfill, make good” (Thayer). J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword. Acts 13:33. Vincent said it is, “Completely fulfilled; force of ἐκ, out and out.” M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Acts 13:33.
[3] Popular New Testament, A Popular Commentary on the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword. Acts 13:33).
[4] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Acts 13:33.
[5] Cambridge Bible, ibid. The emphasis is mine.
[6] What we call the “second psalm” was to the ancient Jews, the introduction to their Psalter. They numbered the second psalm, number 1. In our Bibles, it is the second psalm.