Sharing Christ

The Good News in Acts

The Good News in Acts

(Xiaoxia, a serious personal evangelist, wants training to share the good news.
We examined the good news embedded in Acts.
Photo at end of article is Xiaoxia's baptism)

The Good News in Acts

The early church were passionate witnesses to Jesus. In sermons, in discussions, in personal conversations they presented the good news. The book of Acts chronicles their experiences. Like them, we we must share the good news with family and friends today.


There is a real, infinite/personal God.

Paul began with this truth when he talked to the intellectuals in Athens: …for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. (Acts 17.23-25)

In another city when the citizens said Paul and Barnabas were gods, Paul responded: “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” (Acts 14.15-17)

Implications:
  • we’re not alone in the universe – there’s a Creator-God to discover and relate to
  • this Creator-God cares for us and invites us to seek him
  • we’re separated from God – we have muddled thinking about him
  • we will answer to God for our actions and decisions

 

Jesus came from God.

Peter talked to the Jerusalem crowd a few weeks after Jesus had been killed: “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. (Acts. 2.22)

Philip told a politician: The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. (Acts 8.24-25)

Peter said this to a Roman officer and his friends: And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10.38)

Implications:
  • each culture, each person, has many wrong ideas about God
  • God sent his son Jesus to model who he is
  • in Jesus we see God’s truth (light) and God’s kindness (grace)
  • Jesus is God’s way, the only way to encounter God

 

We killed him.

This is the personal part of the good news. We’re responsible for Jesus’ death. Our sins killed him. Peter said this in his first presentation of the good news: But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. (Acts. 2.23)

 Peter said this to leaders who opposed Christians: For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! (Acts 3.13-15)

 Again, Peter and other leaders bluntly stated: “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.” (Acts 5.29-30)

Implications:
  • the Jesus-story relates to each of us – we humans murdered him
  • my self-centredness and independence is the opposite to Jesus’ dependence on the Father
  • Jesus' dependence on the Father caused people to oppose and murder him
  • Jesus had to die for each of us, taking the punishment for my sin and yours


God raised him up.

This is the amazing part of the good news, the miracle of the resurrection.

Here’s what Peter said to the Jerusalem crowd:  But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip... God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. (Acts. 2.24, 32)

 In another confrontation, Peter said:  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! (Acts 3.15)

 Again, Peter said this to unbelieving leaders: Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. (Acts 4.10)

 And Paul said this to the intellectuals in Athens: For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17.31)
Implications:
  • this is the greatest miracle in the Bible. God refused to leave Jesus dead, but gave him life again
  • it shows us God’s in control, not men. Goodness and truth will win, not evil and lies.
  • because Jesus is alive, I can connect with him today and get to God through him


Jesus sent the Spirit.

Peter said this in his first sermon:  “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. (Acts 2.32-33)

 Again:  We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”(Acts 5.32)

Implications:
  • God gives himself to us as a gift
  • He comes to live in us by his Spirit, making us new, spiritual beings
  • God’s Spirit connects us to God as his children, changing us from the inside out


Jesus will return again.

Peter said this:  Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3.20-21)
Again, Paul warns the intellectuals:  For [God] has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17.31)

Implications:
  • Jesus controls history – he’ll return as the Judge of all
  • He’ll return to restore the universe and renewing it
  • He’ll also come back for all those who believe in God through him


Because of this, we must respond: repent, trust in Jesus and be baptised.

Peter addressed the Jerusalem crowd: Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles,“Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2.37-38)

 Peter said this a few weeks later:  Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. (Acts 3.19)

 Peter spoke to leaders who opposed him:  There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.12)

 Paul told the intellectuals:  God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. (Acts 17.30)

Phillip shared this in a city: But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. (Acts 8.12)

Implications:
  • every person has the right to hear the gospel once, and to know they must respond
  • every person who hears the good news has a choice
  • They must turn to God and follow Jesus as Saviour, or reject the good news and face Jesus as Judge
  • Jesus is the only way to God