“I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place— that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:22-23 HCSB).

GOSPEL-CENTERED PROCLAMATION

Paul’s testimony before the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa showed not only the focus of his gospel teaching, but also its rootedness in the Old Testament Scriptures. For he was convinced that the good news about the Messiah was clearly foretold by Moses and the prophets.

In Paul’s testimony, he gave three focused points for his gospel teaching:

1) Jesus suffered for our sins just as the Scriptures foretold. Chief among these are Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.

2) Jesus was the first to rise from the dead as the Scriptures foretold (Others have been raised, but only Jesus was raised to never die again).

3) Jesus is the Light of the World for both Jew and Gentile alike, as the Scriptures foretold.

This is the same message Paul preached everywhere. As he told the church at Corinth, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

This message continues to be the focus of our gospel teaching today, so that we may testify to everyone concerning the good news about Jesus Christ, so that in hearing they might believe unto eternal life.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to continue to teach and preach the simple gospel to everyone. We would neither add nor subtract from it. For it is the power of salvation to all those who believe. Give us the focus and boldness of the apostle Paul to testify of Jesus to everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name, amen.