Resurrection

Peter's message in Acts 2 is a stirring reminder of all God did to reach out to us and give us eternal life. One of the most difficult things for nonbelievers to understand and believe is the

resurrection, and the Sadduccees were among the most vocal to speak against the resurrection. Their faith could not go beyond what they could reason and see here on earth, and they have many great, great grandchildren who do not believe in the resurrection also. Doubting Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the nail prints on Jesus' body, and he said that until Jesus appeared in the room, showing Thomas the marks. Jesus also followed this by saying those who believe in what they cannot see have the "greater faith."

If you can believe in the power of the message of the gospel, that belief will compel you to share it wherever you go with whomever you can. The story of your faith is "your" story, and your belief and assurance in the resurrecting power of Jesus and that faith will shine through every time. Here are some of Peter's words in his message after the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:²⁹ “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. ³⁰ But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. ³¹ David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. ³² “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. ³³ 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. ³⁴ For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

Resurrection power is real power and what really happened when Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave. He is risen indeed!!! Then Peter closed out his message with the following words found in Acts 2: ³⁶ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren