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.

How Strong Is Your Anchor?

 

When we are in school, we look forward to the day when we will no longer be subject to pop quizzes, tests, and final exams. If only it were so! Life is full of challenges and tests in a variety of areas – loyalty to friends, integrity in business, honesty in speech, purity in our hearts and thoughts, faithfulness to our promises, endurance in temptation, and commitment to our Lord Jesus. Tests and difficulties are woven into the fabric of life. If we are children of God, he uses them to reveal what is in our hearts and to help us grow in our faith and knowledge of him. Otherwise, our lives may end up being a cautionary tale.

Jesus gave us some comforting words to help us.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)

No matter what happens to us, we have a promise from Jesus that his peace will rule. Some of us have already experienced this first hand. Others will eventually. But what about the times when what comes at us is so severe that we feel as if we are barely able to hang on to God and his promises? What can we do if we feel as if things are hopeless, confusing, and spinning out of control?

Lowering the Anchor

When life seems like a violent storm pushing us against deadly reefs, we need an anchor to help us ride out the storm. Consider these words.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)

Jesus already successfully navigated the worst storm imaginable. He endured the confusion of contradiction, the abandonment and betrayal of friends, false accusations by enemies, injustice, horrible suffering, and a humiliating death. Through the outward hopelessness of it all, he did not waver in his faith in his loving Father. He made the decision to enter that vortex of suffering, knowing full well what was ahead, because he fully trusted his Abba Father to be his Keeper.

When Jesus rose from the dead, his’ victory over hopelessness was complete. It is a victory he shares with all who trust in him.

The Devil’s Deception and Our Weapons

When it is our time to enter into testing and trial, it is important for us to make some conscious choices. Passively “going along for the ride,” so to speak, is actually collusion with the enemy of our souls. It is vital that we make a stand against the feelings of fear, doubt, and confusion in our minds. The devil, who is the father of lies, preys upon our sin-corrupted ways of thinking. If he can get us to believe his lies instead of God’s truth, he gains a huge advantage over us. Satan tells us that God is not there, that he does not even care, or perhaps that he is impotent to change things. He tells us that God and his promises cannot be fully trusted. He reminds us of our faults and failings, instilling in our minds the idea that we don’t deserve God’s help anyway. Others may be blessed, but not us. Therefore, faith is useless. We must take matters into our own hands.

When Satan’s lies line up with our own interpretation of things and our perception of reality, it creates a powerful pull to abandon our trust in God.

The Bible calls these “strongholds,” logical arguments we employ to nullify the truth and impact of God’s Word. These devilish speculations must be destroyed using spiritual weapons. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Four of the weapons God has given us are:

  1. The truth of God’s Word,
  2. Our faith in God and his promises,
  3. The power of the Holy Spirit, and
  4. Praise.

Unfortunately many of us have at one time or another succumbed to this temptation and have become hopeless, afraid, and perhaps quite angry at God and life. Perhaps you are in that place right now. There is hope, but first let us consider what may happen if we do not overcome by faith in God.

Adam and Eve failed their big test, which brought horrendous consequences upon all of us. What will be the fallout for us and those we love, if we also cast away our confidence in God and walk away from him? We will not know unless we choose to go that route, which I hope you will not. Sin only has bad consequences, and these often get passed down to those we love. Conversely, our obedience positively impacts succeeding generations. The is part of the generational aspect of salvation. (If you want to read more, click here.)

The Bible encourages us by telling us what will be the outcome for those who refuse to abandon their hope in God and his promises.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV)

 

Our ability to survive and thrive in the midst of the strains and confusion of life depends on our holding to these three convictions.

  1. God is loving and good. Satan seeks to cut the line to this anchor of faith, and, if he does, we have little to hold us. However, if we maintain our confidence that God is loving and good, despite our circumstances or past experience, we will be able to overcome adversity. God is glorified when we make this choice.
  2. God is powerful. This conviction upholds that God is sovereign over all things. He is not in a struggle against evil in which the outcome is in doubt. He is not evenly matched against some evil foe. He is the Supreme Being. Therefore we can fully trust him at all times. Jesus’ resurrection sealed the doom of Satan and our eternal inheritance once and for all.
  3. God is working all things for my good and his glory. This conviction is the logical outcome of believing the first two points and is where the victory in our minds and hearts is won. Romans 8:28 states that everything is being worked out for our good by a loving and powerful God. He will be glorified in and through us if we keep our confidence through the test.

Unleashing the Power of Praise

So how does faith in these three convictions about God’s love, ability, and faithfulness work out in real life? It’s simple: we make the choice to praise him for his goodness, his power, and for working all things out for his glory and our good. Passively getting kicked around by Satan and our circumstances is not the answer. We can choose to praise God despite our natural inclination to wallow in fear, doubt, and self-pity. We are able to choose to praise him even when our emotions are flat or even depressed. We can praise him for who he is, what he has promised, and what he will do on our behalf!

When we offer to God the sacrifice of praise in the midst of confusing and difficult situations, it is a God-glorifying act of faith and  a powerful spiritual weapon.

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— 7  to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8  to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, 9  to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149:6-9 (NLT)

When everything is going our way, it is easy to give praise to God, but, when the opposite is the case, choosing to give praise anyway reverberates throughout creation and brings great glory to God! It is also one of the most powerful forms of spiritual warfare we have at our disposal. The devil cannot stand against it. When we praise God in the midst of adversity, the power of heaven is unleashed on our behalf to carry us to victory.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18  yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19  The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights... Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)

Through faith and praise we can transition from hopelessness and fear to a place of peace and victorious faith. We can know what it means to be an overcomer, all because we make the choice to trust God and his promises in spite of everything opposed to us. We will have an anchor for the soul that cannot be moved!

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Gospel in a Minute: Can you prove that Jesus is the Messiah?

Gospel in a Minute

Saul was highly trained in the Old Testament scriptures; so, with the Spirit’s help he immediately connected the dots when he compared its prophecies and promises to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Acts 9:22 (NLT)

Principle: Can you prove that Jesus is the Messiah?

This is where many, if not most, Gentile believers start feeling woefully inadequate, but the remedy is fairly easy. This is one reason why I am writing these meditations. I want you to understand how to share the gospel as the early apostles did. It is not “rocket science.” It only requires some study and practice, and you too can use the Old Covenant to show how Jesus truly is the Savior and Lord promised to Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, to name a few key players.

Don’t limit yourself to sharing the “plan of salvation” when the amazingly powerful gospel is not too hard to master.

To learn more, click on this link.
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Unlocking God’s Blessings through Being Generous

 

If you know God at all, you understand that he is most generous. The most shared verse in the world, John 3:16, highlights God’s giving nature. He gave his only Son to redeem ungrateful enemies, whom he desired to turn into a family of friends. (Romans 5:6-8) Not surprisingly, he wants his people, those who follow Christ and his teachings, to be like he is – generous.  Psalm 112 attaches some powerful promises to generosity that are worth contemplating. In them we discover that generosity opens the door to many powerful blessings.

It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6  For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. 7  He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8  His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. Psalm 112:5-8 (NASB)
  • It is well – pleasant, agreeable, good – for the generous. Contrast this with the judgment made upon the miserly. They will experience lack and disfavor. (Proverbs 11:24-26)
  • God will maintain the cause of the generous in judgment.  The Bible makes a surprising connection between our being generous and God providing us with a good defense against judgments made against us. Literally the Hebrew says that God will sustain our  affairs with justice. In other words, when we live justly by caring for those in need, God will care for us when we are in need of justice. God’s justice extends beyond court proceedings. True justice seeks the welfare of the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. When we make that our practice, God will see to it that we benefit from his protection.
  • The generous will never be shaken. This means God will keep us from tottering, shaking, or slipping. Another way to say this is that God holds us up and keeps us secure. He is our Keeper.
  • The generous will be remembered forever.  The woman who poured out her life savings in the form of a costly perfume on Jesus’ feet demonstrated extreme generosity. God rewarded her by including her act of selflessness in the Gospel. Being remembered by God is a great blessing that will be extended to the generous.
  • God will make the generous fearless in times of trouble. As we go further into the unfolding scenario of the Last Days, when lawlessness is on the increase and terrible trouble looms, having confidence in God’s keeping power is essential. Why is it that the generous will not fear an evil report? It is because they know that God takes care of those who take care of others. When we are generous, we tap into the very heart of God, and he reveals more of himself to us. When we pour ourselves out for others, we grasp that he will do the same for us.
  • The generous will look in triumph upon their enemies. Most people are clueless when it comes to God’s judgments and justice. They want religion to be pie-in-the-sky fairy tales that God is some kind of cosmic smiley face. This false view of God’s justice is promoted as a way to manipulate the masses and make them think that with God anything goes, as long as it makes you happy. In other words, the smiley face God is a giver of good things who never requires anything from us except to be happy partakers of his gifts – no accountability, no judgment, no justice, no day of reckoning. The Bible portrays Jesus coming in power and glory to usher in God’s kingdom and bring God’s justice upon the earth once and for all. This will include the punishment of the wicked and the destruction of all those who refuse the mercy extended to them in the Gospel. Literally, there will be hell to pay for refusing to bow the knee to Jesus and acknowledge his Lordship. Those who do surrender to Jesus will be part of his triumphal army, who will come back with him to install God’s kingdom.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)

God’s Generosity and the Gospel

Those who have experienced God’s generosity are expected to be generous. They accept what Jesus died to give them – forgiveness, freedom from guilt and condemnation, reconciliation to God, freedom from everything that enslaves us, and belonging to God’s eternal family!

Those who have received God’s generosity in the Gospel are obliged to extend that generosity to others in the form of love, forgiveness, service, and sharing the Gospel message. We give away what God gave to us.

We look forward to the day when Christ returns to settle accounts and usher in the final reality.  On that day, we will look in triumph on all those who have ruthlessly persecuted God’s people and resisted the Gospel. A glorious day, indeed!

Those who refuse God’s generosity make the greatest miscalculation of all time. Those who receive and participate in his generosity experience the fullness of blessings.

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Gospel in a Minute: Get Started Right Away

Gospel in a Minute

The account of Saul’s conversion is an amazing example of Jesus’ sovereign ability to communicate directly with people. Once he became a believer, Saul’s allegiance to his new Lord was unswerving. He launched into the ministry of sharing the gospel immediately.

Afterward he [Saul, later Paul] ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20  And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” Acts 9:19-20 (NLT)

Principle: Get Started Right Away

Peter Block wrote an amazing book entitled The Answer to How is Yes. In it he argues that generally people believe there is a “right” way to do things, and until we discover what that is, we should delay taking action.

In other words, we use the excuse of ignorance to avoid doing the brave thing that needs to be done.

The reason we do things is because they ought to be done, not because we have it all figured out. If we make the choice to move forward in the doing, God will help us along the way. This is certainly true with ministry. Yes, studying the Bible is crucial. No, ignorance is not a virtue. Nevertheless, doing nothing is disobedience. Delayed obedience is often pure and simple rebellion.

The night I became a believer in Christ, I began to share the good news with my friends that Jesus is real and can be known. I did not have a very good knowledge of the Bible. I was confused and misguided on some important points, but I did know Jesus and wanted to make him known. God worked with me in my ignorance and zeal. God never suggested that I should delay telling people about Jesus until I knew more theology. In fact those who know the most theology are sometimes the least engaged in evangelism. When Jesus set the demoniac free, he told him to go tell everyone what great things God had done for him. (Mark 5:19-20) He did not have to first take a class.

We should get started right away with sharing the good news. If you have been sitting idle, it is time to get going.

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Talk to People

 

 

 

 

 

When Jesus engaged the woman at the well in John Chapter Four, he demonstrated a very important principle for ministering to people.

He [Jesus] had to go through Samaria on the way. 5  Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6  Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7  Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8  He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. John 4:4-8 (NLT)

Jesus was on the way to a specific ministry destination, but opportunities to minister to people often present themselves as we are “on the way”.

Ministry to people should happen wherever we are, not just in a building at a set time on Sunday.

Jesus broke with religious tradition at several places in this account of his interaction with the woman from Samaria. The focus of this gospel snapshot is that he engaged her in conversation, regardless of whether others might consider it appropriate. In fact, its apparent inappropriateness was the initial reason the woman became interested. Was Jesus just another man trying to “pick her up,” or was this something else? Being extremely thirsty, Jesus had a genuine need and asked for her help.

No matter how we start a conversation, unless we actually talk to people, we are never going anywhere ministry wise.

If we learn nothing else from this passage, make it a practice to engage people around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to do this. If we are genuinely interested in them and their lives, there is no telling where a conversation may lead. Jesus’ unplanned conversation with this woman led to the entire village believing that Jesus is the Messiah! Where will the Spirit take us if we make it our practice to engage people?

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Frustrated? Here’s the Cure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dictionary defines frustration as the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of an inability to change, control, or achieve something. We get frustrated when our desires are blocked in some way. Sound familiar? Many people try to deal with frustration by trying even harder to make things turn out the way they want. There is a better solution.

Some parts of life are meant to be under our dominion, but God reserves many areas to himself. Only God has the wisdom to guide our daily lives. When we try to take over, it reveals our pride and lack of trust in him. The Book of Proverbs teaches us that our very “steps” are beyond our control, being sovereignly directed by the Lord. (Proverbs 20:24) God reveals himself throughout Scripture as the Sovereign Lord who rules over all things, including the details of each individual life. He even directs the courses taken by nations and nature. It is true that he grants some people enormous power and authority in leadership positions; but, it is only an illusion if they think they are ultimately in control.

Some of us have very strong personalities and wills and are able to manipulate people and situations to our benefit and desire, but we are never truly in control. God retains that right to himself. Until we come to terms with that we will be frustrated.

It has long been man’s desire to be in control and independent from God. This was first revealed in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve quickly traded their status as highly favored, God-dependent children of God for being fallen, lonely, dying, self-directed beings. They rejected the God who created them because they neither understood nor trusted him, which made them susceptible to the devil’s lie that it is possible to live freely and fully while being autonomous from God.

When we refuse to live in dependence and partnership with God, we experience a life filled with frustration. It has to be that way, since we are acting outside of the parameters given to us by our Creator.

Since Adam’s and Eve’s first act of rebellion against God’s created order, men and women have been hell bent on pursuing complete autonomy from God. Some of us choose to deny God’s existence outright, thinking that we can get rid of him. Others of us create “gods” in our own image, which will approve or at least allow all the things we want to do. Both “solutions” are an attempt to be in control.

When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to spend forty days in God’s presence, the Israelites grew restless and frustrated. They felt “out of control,” not knowing what was happening.

When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Get up, make us gods that will go before us. As for this fellow Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him!” Exodus 32:1 (NET1)

Idolatry is rooted in our desire to be in control of our lives and God. We don’t like the God who cannot be manipulated; so, we choose for ourselves gods after our own image, who allow us to do whatever we wish. Since the true God is not able to be manipulated, we become frustrated.

The god manufactured by Aaron in response to the people’s wishes was to “go before” Israel, but such a god could only go where the people took him. It is amazing how easily we fool ourselves. The desire to be in control of our lives will always lead to sin and deception. Even people who believe in God and try to follow Christ are susceptible to this kind of idolatry.

  • We devise religious rules and regulations, thinking that by keeping them we can manipulate God into loving and accepting us. This is the basis of legalism.
  • We create a theology in which we imagine that God would never allow suffering to come into our lives, only what we consider blessings.
  • We use prayer as a sort of magical incantation, thinking that if we get the words just right (translated “positive confession”), God will be bound to respond to our “faith.”
  • We get depressed and discouraged, or, maybe, angry, depending on our personality type, when things do not turn out the way we desire, because we are just not quite sure that God is truly sovereign, loving, wise, and faithful.
  • We try to “cut a deal” with God, telling him that if he will answer our prayer, we will fulfill some vow. And the list goes on.

When we try to be in control, we show that we have never comprehended what it means to surrender our lives to Jesus the LORD.

Jesus knew what it meant to be completely surrendered to his Father’s will, which is what he wants for us, too. Jesus was able to do this because he was convinced that his Father loved him beyond comprehension. Faith in God’s faithfulness will enable us to follow in our Lord’s footsteps of surrender.

The only way to properly deal with the root of frustration is to completely submit our lives, desires, relationships, money, health, and futures – everything – to the Sovereign Lord, who loves us beyond our comprehension. We must cast aside the fear that he is not trustworthy.

So, the next time you find yourself angry, depressed, discouraged, afraid, or frustrated, ask yourself, “Have I truly surrendered myself and my situation to the Lord?” “Am I trusting him completely, even if I do not understand how he is directing my steps?” If not, you know what to do. The cure for frustration is both simple and difficult. Simple to understand and difficult to do. But it is worth it.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
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Gospel in a Minute: The Spirit Will Lead Us to People Who Are Ready and Open to Believe the Gospel

Gospel in a Minute

After sharing the gospel with the Samaritans, Philip was led by God’s Spirit in an amazing way.

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) 27  So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28  and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29  Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." 30  Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31  And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:26-30 (NASB)

Principle: The Spirit Will Lead Us to People Who Are Ready and Open to Believe the Gospel.

The eunuch was hungering to know more about God and the scriptures. Only the Spirit knew this, and he individually guided the evangelist to him. Philip led this man to receive Christ and baptized him in water on the spot. Luke put this account in Acts to let us know that God’s Spirit is available to guide us in a similar way. The Great Commission is a partnership between us and God. We need the baptism and gifts of the Spirit in order to be as effective as God desires. Our Lord wants us to be able to detect the “still, small voice” of the Spirit as he leads us through the day.

There are people all around us in whom God is working, preparing them to receive and believe the gospel. Are we open to God’s directing and using us as he did Philip?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, use me as your ambassador of reconciliation. I am ready for you to direct me to those you have prepared to hear the gospel. Help me to be alert to your guidance each day. Grant me boldness, compassion, and courage to be Christ’s witness. Help me to properly articulate the Good News. Amen.

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Gospel in a Minute: The Baptism in the Spirit Is Part of the Gospel

Gospel in a Minute

In Acts Chapter 8 Luke recounts how the gospel came through Philip to the Samaritans.

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13  Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. 14  When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15  As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16  The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-17 (NLT)

Principle: The Baptism in the Spirit Is Part of the Gospel

In the 1970s a group called the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International rightly argued that the baptism in the Spirit is an integral part of the gospel, helping countless people receive this amazing gift. In Acts 2, Peter included it in his initial gospel message (Acts 2:38-39), and here in Acts 8, in the first gospel presentation to a people group other than the Jews, it is once again highlighted.

The baptism in the Spirit is connected to Christ’s glorification at God’s right hand in heaven as Lord of the Harvest. (Acts 2:32-33) Its purpose is to equip and empower God’s people to fulfill the Great Commission. (Acts 1:8)

A “full gospel” presentation should include the following.

  1. A clear presentation of Jesus the crucified Lamb of God who died to forgive our sins.
  2. A proclamation of his Lordship which was proven by his resurrection.
  3. An announcement of his ascension, exaltation in heaven, and the consequent outpouring of the Spirit.
  4. An invitation to receive forgiveness of sins through faith, to declare publicly his lordship through being water baptized, and to receive the baptism of the Spirit and become part of his band of Great Commissionaries.
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Gospel in a Minute: Jesus Is the Messiah

Gospel in a Minute

Here Luke encapsulates 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)

Principle: Jesus is the Messiah

Modern consumerists have turned the gospel message from Jesus being the messianic King of Kings into his being our personal savior. This is no small thing. A personal savior has no real impact on the larger world. He only saves individuals from their personal sins, rescuing them from damnation and giving them eternal life. For the individual, this is great news, but not necessarily life changing.

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.

An encounter with the risen Lord quite naturally produces the desire to become his servant for life.

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Gospel in a Minute: The Ascension Is Part of the Gospel

Gospel in a Minute

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 summary presentation of the gospel to his persecutors – a bold move.

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)

Principle: The Ascension Is Part of the Gospel

Peter mentioned three reasons for his hearers to repent in their attitude and actions regarding Jesus. He was put to death unjustly. God raised him from the dead, and he is now seated at God’s right hand, reigning as the Prince of Peace over Israel and Lord over all creation. Peter does not directly say that Jesus ascended into heaven, but it is assumed. How else would he have gotten there? The result of his consequent glorification was that he sent his Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Spirit indwells, empowers, and seals all those who confess Christ as Lord.

It is of foundational importance for us to include Christ’s ascension into heaven and the outpouring of the Spirit in our presentation of the good news.

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