What does "impossible for Him to be held" reveal about God's power? Setting the Context “But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:24) Peter’s sermon at Pentecost points to the resurrection as the decisive proof of Jesus’ identity. The phrase “impossible for Him to be held” zeroes in on the unrivaled power of God that shatters death’s grip. Key Phrase Explained • “Impossible” – absolute negation; no conceivable scenario in which death retains authority over Christ. • “Held” – literally “to keep under restraint,” picturing death as a jailer whose chains simply snap when confronted by God’s might. Dimensions of Divine Power Revealed • Power over the final enemy – 1 Corinthians 15:26: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” – God overturns what humans cannot escape, displaying supremacy over the entire created order. • Self-existent, life-giving authority – John 10:17-18: “I lay down My life… I have authority to take it up again.” – Christ’s life is not borrowed; He intrinsically possesses it, so death has no rightful claim. • Justice perfectly satisfied – Romans 6:23 declares death the wage of sin. Because Jesus is sinless, death’s jurisdiction is void, proving both His sinlessness and God’s righteous rule. • Cosmic victory declared – Colossians 2:15: God “disarmed the powers and authorities.” – The resurrection signals that every spiritual force opposing God is already defeated. Implications for Believers Today • Unshakable assurance of salvation – Romans 8:11: “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” If death couldn’t hold Him, it won’t hold those united to Him. • Courage in the face of suffering – Hebrews 2:14-15: By destroying the devil “who holds the power of death,” Christ frees us from lifelong slavery to fear. • Motivation for holy living – Romans 6:4: “Just as Christ was raised… we too may walk in newness of life.” Resurrection power fuels present obedience. • Confident proclamation of the gospel – Acts 4:33: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection.” The same message still carries divine power to save. Summing It Up The words “impossible for Him to be held” unveil a God whose power is limitless, life-creating, and utterly triumphant. Death may loom as humanity’s greatest threat, yet in Christ it is rendered powerless, proving that nothing can stand against the Living God or thwart His redemptive purposes for those who trust in Him. |
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