Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.

 

Paul and Barnabas traveled to Antioch in Pisidia. They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath Day. After the Priests opened the service, Paul was invited to speak. He preached a powerful sermon that day as he recounted History and the Words of the Prophets. At the end, he told them about Jesus and tied the Prophecies of Old to Him.

 

You see, these people (Jews and Gentiles alike) believed in God, knew the Words of the Prophets, and believed totally in the Law of Moses. These things had guided their way of life for centuries but Paul’s introduction of Jesus as being their long-awaited Messiah, was something completely new.

 

After the History lesson, Paul said Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 13:38) This was an Altar call for them to believe in Jesus as Messiah.

 

Paul said nothing about sacrifices, keeping the Sabbath, or circumcision because Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law. These people had never heard anything like this before! Their whole life revolved around keeping the Law! This Message was news to them.

 

The word “forgiveness” in Paul’s statement has a far greater meaning in Hebrew than in English. The Hebrew word is “aphesis.” It means a TOTAL DISMISSAL OR RELEASE; FORGIVING AND FORGETTING; A SUSPENSION OF THE JUST PENALTY.

 

If we include this definition in Paul’s Altar call, the statement would read Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man (Jesus) is preached to you God’s total dismissal and release; complete forgiveness and forgetting of your sins resulting in suspension of the just penalty required of you by the Law. Wow! Understanding the meaning of one Hebrew word makes a world of difference.

 

As a side note, this is where our Founding Fathers developed our Laws in America. When the Judge says “Case dismissed” it’s over; finished; thrown out of court as if it never happened. Hallelujah! This is how God sees us WHEN we place our faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross. It was there that He paid the price required by God (the Judge) for every sin we have ever committed. When we say yes to Jesus, God says, “CASE DISMISSED!”

 

Saying yes to Jesus will……….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

Hallelujah!         Doreen

 

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