What does Acts 13:35 teach about God's faithfulness to His promises? The Setting Within Acts 13 Paul is preaching in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch. Moving from Israel’s history to Jesus, he quotes Psalm 16:10 to prove the resurrection was foretold and has now happened in Christ. Acts 13:35—The Key Verse “So also He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’” Tracing the Promise Back to Psalm 16 • Psalm 16:10: “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” • Written by David, yet David died and his body did decay (Acts 13:36). • Therefore, the verse points beyond David to a future “Holy One” whose body would never experience corruption—Messiah. Seeing the Promise Fulfilled in Christ • Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • His tomb was found empty; He showed Himself alive with many proofs (Acts 1:3). • Because God did not “let His Holy One see decay,” the promise in Psalm 16 is proven true, confirming Jesus as the promised Messiah. What This Reveals About God’s Faithfulness • He keeps promises even across centuries; what He declares in the Psalms He completes in the Gospels and Acts. • His faithfulness extends to the seemingly impossible—overruling death itself. • Fulfilled prophecy validates every other word He has spoken; if He kept this, He will keep all (Joshua 21:45; 2 Corinthians 1:20). • The resurrection guarantees believers’ future resurrection (Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 1:3-5); God’s reliability in Christ becomes the basis for our hope. Connected Passages Reinforcing the Theme • Acts 2:24-32—Peter uses the same Psalm to show that God raised Jesus. • Hebrews 10:23—“He who promised is faithful.” • Titus 1:2—God “cannot lie” and promised eternal life before time began. • Isaiah 55:3—The “sure mercies of David” are confirmed in the risen Christ, echoing Paul’s point in Acts 13:34. Living in Light of God’s Faithfulness • Trust His written promises; fulfilled prophecy is proof He keeps them. • Face trials with confidence—if God conquered decay for Christ, He can handle any circumstance we meet (Romans 8:31-32). • Share the gospel boldly; the resurrection is historical evidence backing our message (Acts 17:31). • Rest in the assurance of personal resurrection and eternal life; the same faithful God who raised Jesus will raise us also (2 Corinthians 4:14). |
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