and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, [romans 1:4]
Jesus, during his ministry, had sometimes subtly and sometimes boldly and directly declared that he was the Son of God. he made himself to be equal with God [john 5:18]. he claimed to have the authority of God [matthew 28:18]. he claimed to have the saving power of God [john 10:28-30]. he did great works in the name of the Father, and the works were evidence of his deity. many believed him. but many did not.
it was the many who did not believe who put Jesus on the cross. angry that he claimed to be the Messiah, but was not the picture they had imagined, these men, in their disbelief, crucified the very One who had come to save them. we know that in the sovereignty of God, it was also his will to crush his Son [isaiah 53:10], but little did these men know they were carrying out the very act necessary to allow for their own salvation. only through Jesus’ death could they come to understand and know the truth about him.
and we all know how the events proceeded! Jesus, because he truly was the very essence, possessed the very same authority, and held the very same saving power as the Almighty Father, rose up from the grave, proving that he was the Son of God in power. he had come, he had died, he had accomplished all, and now he lived, having won his bride, and having cleansed her from her sin and guilt. what a glorious day of victory that was for us all!
as Jesus returned to his home, having promised to return to us when our home with him had been made ready, he sent the Helper. the promised Holy Spirit declared the truth of Christ to all who were appointed to believe. [acts 13:48]
the Holy Spirit declared the truth of Christ, and sinners responded in conviction…
let all the house of israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, [acts 2:36-37]
the Holy Spirit declared the truth of Christ, and sinners responded in repentance…
and said to peter and the rest of the apostles, “brothers, what shall we do?” and peter said to them, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” [acts 2:37-39]
the Holy Spirit declared the truth of Christ, and sinners responded in obedience…
and with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “save yourselves from this crooked generation.” so those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. [acts 2:40-41]
when the truth of Jesus Christ is declared by the Holy Spirit, sinners become believers. dead men become full of life. souls are plucked from the domain of darkness and brought into the marvelous light of the kingdom of God.
if you have not responded this way to the truth of Christ that the Spirit is declaring to you today, then may today be the day of your salvation. believe in the Lord Jesus. his perfect life, his atoning death, and his victorious resurrection can save you from your guilty record before a Holy God. confess your sin, receive his forgiveness, and follow him!
if you are a follower of Christ, are you looking to be the mouthpiece by which the Holy Spirit declares the truth about Jesus? are you proclaiming his power and sharing his goodness? ask the Lord to show you how you might walk in obedience and declare him today!
~arwen eastman