Our Basic Belief

Scripture – Acts 2:22-24: ²²“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Reflection: – Here’s the basic gospel again. As Peter addresses this international group of Jews, he points out that Jesus was a man. He was killed – dying on the cross. God raised Him from the dead.

There is a basic step of faith we are called to take – to believe what, by all earthly logic, is unbelievable. God came to earth in the person of Jesus. He didn’t leave His divine nature behind. It came with Him at the same time that He assumed His fully human nature. He lived life on this earth as a man. He was killed on the cross. He was dead in every way we understand that term. Then, God raised Him to life and re-established Him as Lord of all.

That’s our basic confession: Jesus Christ is Lord. Our hope of eternal life is found in Him – in His life, death and resurrection. That’s the message Peter preached. It’s our message still today.

What do you find hard to accept in Christian belief? What difference would it make if you just lived as though that belief were true?

Reading for Sunday, June 15, 2008

Scripture – Acts 2:25-28: ²⁵David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. ²⁶Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, ²⁷because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. ²⁸You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’