Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 34 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and four amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has published two books - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles which he has compiled into books in PDF form.

Is Jesus Merely a Personal Savior or the Risen and Glorious Lord?

In the two verses below, the Holy Spirit summarizes the gospel in four words spoken by the apostles: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42  And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:41-42 (NLT)

During that time in history when Jesus lived on earth, the Jews expected the Messiah to finally appear. They had certain ideas about what he would do for them that did not at all match Jesus’ words, character, and deeds. They expected a military leader who would deliver them from the iron grip of Roman tyranny. Instead they got a “Lamb” went about setting people free from sin, sickness, and demonic oppression, who was put to death on a cross for our sins, yet conquered death by rising again three days later as the glorious Lord of Lords. This risen Jesus, who promised to one day return as the Judge of all mankind, is indeed the Jewish Messiah. We now must bow our knees in worship or later we will do so in abject terror when he comes again to judge everyone who ever lived.

…For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10b–12 (NASB95)

Modern consumerists have converted the gospel message that Jesus is the glorious messianic King of Kings into his being merely a very tame personal savior.

This is no small thing. A personal savior has no real impact on the larger world or even on the individual. He only saves us from having to suffer judgment for our own sins, rescuing us from damnation and giving us eternal life. For the individual, this is great news, but not necessarily life changing, because we are not required to serve him, only receive blessings from him. 

The announcement that Jesus is Messiah and Lord over all creation is a game changer. One cannot believe that and continue to live as before.

A real encounter with the risen Lord quite naturally produces a desire in us to worship and serve him. Do you believe in a personal savior or serve the risen Lord?

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Christ’s Ascension into Heaven Is Part of the Gospel

In Acts Chapter Five, once again the Jewish religious leaders threatened the apostles for preaching the good news about Jesus. In response, Peter delivered a brief and bold presentation of the gospel to his persecutors.

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31  Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32  We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30-32 (NLT)

Peter mentioned three reasons for his hearers to repent in their attitude and actions regarding Jesus.

  1. He was put to death unjustly.
  2. God raised him from the dead, and
  3. He is now seated at God’s right hand, reigning as the Lord over all creation.

Peter does not directly say that Jesus ascended into heaven, but it is assumed. How else would his resurrected body have gotten there? God sent his Holy Spirit on Pentecost to prove that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Holy Spirit indwells, empowers, and seals all those who confess Christ as Lord.

Christ’s ascension is an important part of the gospel that confirms Christ’s exaltation as Lord and explains the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost.

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Jesus is the only way to God.

Peter concluded his brief gospel proclamation in Acts Chapter Four with this claim about Jesus.

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Many find Peter’s declaration offensive, but it agrees with Jesus’ own words. 

Jesus *said to him [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 (NASB)

Jesus taught that he is the only way to God. If not, then Jesus was terribly misguided, and why did he need to die as God’s Lamb on the cross? Was that a huge mistake, too? If he did not have to pay the penalty for our sins, the gospel is a fairy tale of the worst sort because it gives false information about God and eternity.

If sin is not a real offense against God and a barrier to our having a relationship with him, then any path that leads to God will do. But Jesus’ resurrection proved that it is true. He is the only way to God, which Peter resolutely declared and Paul later confirmed.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

Have you faced up to this reality? Have you made your peace with God yet? Have you accepted what Jesus did for you by dying for your sins and rising again as the glorious Lord of Lords? If not, don’t let the day go by without doing so.

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Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 to explain how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in order to convince his hearers that he is indeed the promised Messiah risen from the dead.

He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERstone.Acts 4:11 (NASB)

Jesus had earlier quoted this passage in reference to himself.

Jesus *said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE 
STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS 
BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS 
CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND 
IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? 43  "Therefore I say to you, the 
kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the 
fruit of it. 44  "And he who falls on this stone 
will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like 
dust." Matthew 21:42-44 (NASB)

By referencing the Old Testament, Peter and Jesus gave their hearers an opportunity to “connect the dots” and understand who Jesus is.

We owe it to our hearers to show how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament scriptures so they too can make the connection and see that Jesus is indeed the Promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior and Lord of all who believe in him, both Jew and Gentile.

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Be ready to share the gospel when opportunity knocks.

In Acts Chapter Four, the Jewish religious leaders demanded that Jesus’ disciples explain bold witness to Jesus’ resurrection and the recent spectacular healing before the council.

They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” Acts 4:7 (NLT)

This gave Peter a perfect opportunity to restate succinctly the gospel message.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9  are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10  Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. Acts 4:8-10 (NLT)

Someone once asked, if we were being prosecuted for being a Christian witness, would there be any evidence to convict us? Peter and John were on trial because they boldly testified to Jesus’ lordship. Silence is not usually a virtue when it comes to the gospel. People need to know where we stand. When we make known our devotion to Christ and his words, it will likely make an impact on those who see it and might stir their curiosity to know more.

In his first letter, the apostle Peter encourages all disciples to be ready to share the gospel any time the opportunity arises.

...And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  1 Peter 3:15b (NLT)

People take note when disciples display the courage of their convictions and boldly share the gospel when opportunity knocks.

We never know when a chance to share the gospel may present itself. When it does, the Lord wants us to be ready and willing to identify ourselves with him and share the good news that he made a way for people to be reconciled to the Father and share his life forever!

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The Gospel causes division.

Peter’s second gospel presentation, which was precipitated by a miraculous healing, caused a great stirring among those who heard it. Their message also “greatly disturbed” the religious leaders, the ones whose hearts were closed and had crucified Jesus.

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2  being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.Acts 4:1-2 (NASB)

The Sadducees were a sect that did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the Pharisees did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The common people, however, did not have the same biases against truth and were more able to believe the good news that Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus told his followers that he would cause division.

The truth always causes division because there are those who steadfastly resist and persecute it.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35  ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36  Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ Matthew 10:34-36 (NLT)

Jesus is a king…the King. His kingdom is real and is opposed by the forces of evil in the world.

People will come down on one side or the other when his lordship is announced. Those who appear not to care, the ones Jesus called “lukewarm,” are opposed to the kingdom as much as those who persecute the truth. Both groups refuse to acknowledge and serve the king. We should not be surprised when we encounter hostility when we preach the gospel. In fact, we should expect it. If we properly present the gospel, we will stir things up, not because we are trying to cause trouble, but because our message is authoritative and calls people to surrender to the King. Some will respond as God wishes. Others will be hostile. At least the hostile ones are not lukewarm.

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Repentance – a gateway to joy or death to fun?

Peter concluded his second preaching of the gospel message in Acts by calling for his listeners to turn away from sin.

When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways. Acts 3:26 (NLT)

The Greek word normally translated as “repentance” is metanoeo, which simply means to change the mind.

The gospel brings us to the realization that life depends on our declaring allegiance to Jesus the Lord. Trying to be our own “lord” and run things on our own leads to heartbreak and death. We were created to be dependent beings who rely on God for everything. Adam and Eve decided to go it on their own, which is the essence of sin, and brought all of us into bondage to sin and Satan. The gospel announces that God is willing to forgive our rebellion and welcome us back into his eternal family, if we will simply acknowledge Jesus’ right to rule and surrender ourselves to him. When we do this, every Jesus accomplished on our behalf by dying for our sins and rising again becomes a source of great joy to us.

When we have such a change of mind, we are said to “repent.”

Repentance is a gift. (Acts 5:31, 2 Tim. 2:25) The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds and motivates us to take this critical step. True repentance will eventually change how we live. As Peter said, we will turn back from sinful ways.

Sin carries with it the sentence of death. It always breeds sorrow and destruction. When we turn away from sin, it opens the door to God’s blessings in our lives. Jesus is the fountain of life, fulfillment, and joy. The gospel restores us to our heavenly Father, from whom all blessings flow. (James 1:17)

The devil tells us that following Jesus will ruin our lives and steal all our fun. Adam believed the devil. Who are we going to believe? Our eternity can be filled with regret and pain or the joy of the Lord.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
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The gospel is best understood in the context of God’s history with Israel.

While preaching his second recorded sermon after Pentecost in Acts Chapter 3, Peter referenced Moses’ messianic prophecy found in Deuteronomy 18.

Moses said, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23  Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’ Acts 3:22-23 (NLT)

Some think that if we cannot write theology on a napkin, it is too complicated. I have presented the “four spiritual laws” in this fashion, which is an effective way to explain what some call the “plan of salvation.” But, such “napkin theology” is not the gospel.

The gospel is the story of Jesus the Messiah set in the context of God’s history with Israel.

Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming return were all promised in the Old Testament scriptures. A proper presentation of the gospel will reference at least some of these promises in an effort to provide context and corroboration of the truth of the gospel.

Jesus did not just “show up” without warning to introduce some new religion. He came to fulfill God’s eternal plan to save God’s people and restore all creation to the Creator’s original intent, thus bringing our Father in heaven great glory. It is impossible to understand the gospel without understanding how it fulfills the Law and the Prophets.

Paul summarized this connection in his letter to the church in Rome.

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:1–4 (NASB95)

Jesus explained the same to the disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection.

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27 (NASB95)

If we want to become more accurate and effective gospel communicators, we will make the effort to study how the apostles preached the good news and follow their lead. We will familiarize ourselves with some of the messianic prophecies and include them in our presentation.

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The gospel announces salvation for the entire creation.

Peter informed his listeners that Jesus will return as the Messianic King who now waits in heaven until his Father’s appointed time to restore the entire creation to its original intent.

Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21  For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:20-21 (NLT)

One of the tragedies of the consumerist packaging of the gospel is that its enormous scope has been hidden.

The consumerist gospel presents Jesus as merely as some kind of “personal savior,” whose impact is reduced to bringing peace and security to individuals who turn to him for forgiveness of sins. This is indeed one of the many benefits of declaring allegiance to the risen Lord, but it does not do justice to whom Jesus is and what he accomplished on the cross and through his resurrection. People who put their faith in Christ are made new creatures, children of God, who will live and rule with him for eternity over a new creation.

And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:4 (NLT)

The restoration of the creation to God’s original intent under his benevolent rule will bring God enormous glory and satisfaction at the culmination of all things at Jesus’ return.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21  the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:19-22 (NLT)

Have you surrendered your life to the Lord of Lords?

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One Reason Why It’s So Important to Keep Our Word

One of God’s attributes is his faithfulness to keep his word.

But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19  For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. 20  For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22  who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NASB)

How important is it for us to keep our promises? Many of us, who find it hard to keep commitments, go more by how we feel at the moment, instead of by what we may have promised. Sadly, this attitude impacts many a marriage. Too many of us blithely vow to be faithful unto death, but renege on our promises when “the thrill is gone.”

God is unchanging and he is absolutely truthful. He says what he means and means what he says. It is because of his faithfulness to his promises that we can have hope.

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

All of us have lapses in our faithfulness to some degree or another. Most of us can bring to mind times when we let someone down. For some of us, this may have become a way of life. If so, acknowledging our sin and asking the Lord to help us change is in order. If we have placed our allegiance and trust in Christ, over time the indwelling Holy Spirit develops Christ’s character in our lives. He works into our lives faithfulness to our word. Perhaps he is speaking to your heart about this right now.

The more we become like God, the more faithful we will be to our promises.

King David wrote that God will honor…

 Those who…keep their promises even when it hurts. Psalm 15:4 (NLT)

One of Jesus’ titles is the Truth. (John 14:6) Every lie we tell is a betrayal of our Lord and grieves the Holy Spirit. It might even be said that lying is a form of idolatry because it elevates falsehood in our lives over the Truth. Conversely, the more we keep our word, the more Jesus’ truthfulness is evident in and through us.

God intends that our behavior should reinforce the gospel message. We do not want to give our hearers another excuse to reject Jesus by failing to live up to our word.

Practically speaking, if we prioritize keeping our promises, it will make us more careful about what we say. We will do our best to only commit to those things we actually plan to follow through on, rather than promising to do something simply because we hate to say “no.” We want to be regarded as honest persons who keep our word. It will make us be more respected, happier, a better reflection of God’s character, and a better transmitter of the gospel. None of us is perfect, but the Holy Spirit should be making progress in this area of our lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I praise and worship you for your perfect truthfulness. Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you are the Spirit of Truth. Work your truthfulness in me. I repent from all forms of falsehood and ask you to develop Christ’s character in me. Help me to be an example that will not cause offense or a stumbling block to others. Amen.

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