What role does Jesus' resurrection play in confirming God's plan in Acts 17:31? Setting the Scene at Mars Hill Paul stands before the philosophers of Athens and moves from their altar “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” to the true and living God. He culminates his message with Acts 17:31: “For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” Why the Resurrection Matters Here • The resurrection is God’s public, historical proof that Jesus is the appointed Judge. • It turns Paul’s sermon from mere philosophy into a call to respond to a living Lord. • It seals every promise and warning God has made—because the risen Jesus guarantees they will be fulfilled. Resurrection as Divine Confirmation • Romans 1:4 – Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God with power…by His resurrection from the dead.” • 1 Corinthians 15:17 – “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” The converse is equally true: because He is raised, faith rests on solid ground. • John 2:19-21 – Jesus foretold His own resurrection; God fulfilled it literally, confirming every word He spoke. Proof that Jesus Is the Judge • Acts 10:42 – Peter preaches the same truth: God “appointed Him to judge the living and the dead.” • Revelation 1:17-18 – The risen Christ says, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.” • Only a risen, immortal Savior can sit in righteous judgment over all humanity. Guarantee of Both Salvation and Accountability • For believers: 1 Peter 1:3 – “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” • For unbelievers: John 5:27-29 – the Father “has given Him authority to execute judgment…those who have done evil will rise to judgment.” • The same event that secures grace also underlines the certainty of future judgment. How the Resurrection Validates the Entire Plan 1. Confirms God’s Sovereignty – What He decrees (a fixed Day of Judgment) cannot be thwarted. 2. Confirms the Identity of the Savior-Judge – Jesus alone bridges mercy and justice. 3. Confirms the Reliability of Scripture – Prophecies of Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-11 are literally fulfilled. 4. Confirms the Hope of Our Own Resurrection – Because He lives, “we will also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11). Personal Takeaways for Today • Confidence: Our faith is anchored in an event God publicly validated. • Urgency: A set day of judgment calls for repentance now (Acts 17:30). • Assurance: The risen Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25) and holds our future secure. • Witness: Like Paul, we point people to a living Savior, not a religious idea. |
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