Sunday, April 04, 2021

GOD Raised HIM To Life

 "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and, with a loud voice, addressed them, 'Fellow Jews and all foreigners now staying in Jerusalem, listen to what I have to say.

Fellow Israelites, listen to what I am going to tell you about JESUS of Nazareth.  GOD accredited HIM and through HIM did powerful deeds and wonders and signs in your midst, as you well know.  You delivered HIM to sinners to be crucified and killed, and, in this way, the purpose of GOD, from all times, was fulfilled.  But GOD raised HIM to life and released HIM from the pain of death; because it was impossible for HIM to be held in the power of death.  David spoke of HIM when he said: I saw the LORD before me at all times; HE is by my side, that I may not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body, too, will live in hope.  Because YOU will not forsake me in the abode of the dead, nor allow YOUR Holy One to experience corruption.  YOU have made known to me the paths of life, and YOUR presence will fill me with joy.

Friends, I don't need to prove that the patriarch David died and was buried; his tomb is with us to this day.  But he knew, that GOD had sworn to him, that one of his descendants would sit upon his throne and, as he was a prophet, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah.  So he said, that he would not be left in the region of the dead, nor would his body experience corruption.

This Messiah is JESUS; and we are all witnesses that GOD raised HIM to life.  HE has been exalted at GOD's right side; and the FATHER has entrusted the Holy Spirit to HIM; this Spirit, HE has just poured upon us, as you now see and hear.'" - Acts 2:14. 22-33 

(This is the first proclamation of JESUS' resurrection.  Peter, once again, aware of his responsibility in the group of the Twelve, speaks on behalf of all.  He cites the texts of the Old Testament: Joel, the Psalms, etc. and demonstrates their fulfillment in JESUS and in the nascent Church.

GOD raised HIM to life.  Peter recalls how JESUS showed many signs of love during HIS public life: in spite of that, or more precisely, because of that, HE was delivered into the hands of pagans: how mysterious it is that people reject GOD's love.  More than 700 years before the coming of JESUS, the prophet Hosea was already familiar with this rejection of GOD's love [Hosea 11:1-4] and JESUS, HIMSELF, announces it in the parable of the murderous vineyard tenants [Matthew 21:33-39].  However, GOD, whose love is more powerful than our sins [Romans 5:20], raised HIM from the dead and made HIM the source of salvation for all.)

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