Promises Kept – The Resurrection of Jesus and the Forgiveness of Sins

By Robb Brunansky

Published April 5, 2026

Death is the incontrovertible proof that sin is real. Sin is a destructive power, holding humanity in its murderous grip. None are exempt. All need forgiveness of sins and salvation from eternal death.

Jesus Christ’s resurrection speaks to this all-important need. And the message of Acts 13:26-41 is straightforward: Jesus secured forgiveness of sins for those who believe through His resurrection. Christ’s resurrection is the key to understanding and receiving salvation.

In this sermon, the Apostle Paul emphasized the significance of Jesus’ resurrection for sinners’ salvation. Let’s see what Paul said as he laid out the gospel message of Christ’s resurrection.

We must first understand we are dealing with historical facts when it comes to the gospel message. When the apostles preached the gospel, their message was not a matter of theological or philosophical speculation. The apostolic message was based on events happening in time and space that could be proven or disproven by witnesses. The historical and factual nature of the message must be taken seriously. Thus, the gospel is not an idea to be debated but historical facts to be proclaimed.

The Apostle Paul outlines six facts of the gospel for his hearers.

The first is that Jesus was condemned by the leaders and residents of Jerusalem (v. 27). These people rejected Jesus because they did not recognize Him or understand the Scriptures that were read in their synagogues. They did not know who Jesus was because they missed the truths of Scripture. If we want to know Jesus, we must hear the Bible andunderstand its teachings. The people in Jesus’ day did not, and so they condemned the Son of God to death.

The second fact is that the bloodthirsty crowd, filled with malice and envy, asked Pilate to put Jesus to death, though His innocence was proven (v. 28).

The third fact is that Jesus was crucified on a cross (v. 29). According to Old Testament prophets, the Messiah would be executed by piercing yet without a broken bone (Ps. 2:1-2, Ps. 22:16-18, Isaiah 53:5, Zech 13:7). The Jews and Romans fulfilled what was written about Christ’s suffering, nailing Him to the cross.

The fourth fact is that Jesus was buried in a tomb (v. 29). Burial is significant because it shows Christ experienced death’s full weight.

The fifth fact is that God raised Christ from the dead (v. 30)! Man did all the evil he could, but God victoriously overcame! Resurrection is exactly what Jesus said He would do as He went to the cross (John 10:17-18, Luke 18:31-34). Just as surely as Jesus was crucified and buried, He rose from the dead. It’s not a matter of someone’s opinion about Jesus, or His teaching, character, or wisdom. It’s a matter of historical reality.

The final fact is that Jesus appeared to many witnesses (Acts 1:2). Paul even listed many of them by name (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). These witnesses make clear we are dealing with facts. God raised Jesus from the dead, and Paul essentially says, “If you don’t believe me, ask one of the hundreds of witnesses who saw Him after His resurrection.”

These six events are the facts of the gospel.

So, what do Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and appearances mean for us? Paul, then, explained the meaning of the gospel events (verses 32-37). Our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection fulfilled God’s promise. When Jesus was raised from the dead, God fulfilled the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and the prophets.

Jesus’ resurrection means He is king (v. 33). Paul quotes from the Psalms, saying that Christ’s resurrection was His coronation (Psalm 2:7). Jesus was raised from the dead, and He sat down on His Father’s throne, reigning until He defeats His enemies (Revelation 3:2). Christ’s resurrection says that Jesus is king and that He is reigning. His resurrection also means He is king forever (vv. 34-37). Christ will never die again (Isa 55:3, Ps 16:10). The blessing of David is an eternal kingdom and requires a king who is not subject to death. The writer of Hebrews calls this the power of an indestructible life (Heb 7:16).

Paul calls Jesus’ enthronement and kingship good news (verse 32). This is the gospel – the proclamation that Christ is king. Furthermore, Jesus is the king who fulfills God’s promises after centuries of waiting. The true King of Israel came to this earth and conquered death. He now reigns as the Davidic King with the power of an indestructible life, conquering all His foes as we approach His second and final coming.

However, none of these truths looked exactly like the Jewish people envisioned in the world around them. Rome was still in power, and the Messiah was not physically on earth. Most were wrongly under the impression they would receive the benefits of the Messianic kingdom by virtue of being Jews. So, having explained the facts and meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection, Paul, then, explained how a person can receive the benefits of the gospel: forgiveness of sins and justification (verses 38-39).

Forgiveness implies we have done things that must be forgiven. Many Jews felt like victims, not criminals. Paul, though, turns this mentality around, pointing out that what we need is forgiveness of our sins before God. Forgiveness is God remitting, or canceling, our sins from His record. We stand before God with no crimes on our account. Only the blood of the Lamb appears on our ledgers.

The word freed also means justified. Justification means to have done what God requires. When a sinner in union with Jesus stands before God, it’s not simply that our record is blank and covered in Christ’s blood but also covered in His righteousness. Paul says we could never be justified by the Law of Moses. It’s impossible to be just before God by works. We must be justified apart from the Law, in some other way. Forgiveness and righteousness only come through Jesus Christ.

These benefits are for everyone who believes. This is where the Gospel is so shockingly simple. Forgiveness of sins and righteousness before God comes through faith alone. Every religion denying salvation through faith in Christ alone teaches that we must earn God’s acceptance. Biblical Christianity stands alone in declaring that God will accept us based on faith through His Son’s work. When we believe the gospel, we have its benefits: forgiveness, justification, and eternal life.

Paul ends his sermon with a warning. Though the gospel is good news of salvation, it also comes with a grave warning, because not everyone believes. Paul quotes from the prophet Habakkuk, who received an oracle of judgment on Israel, because the nation did not believe in the Lord’s Word (Habakkuk 1:5). They had no faith and were called scoffers. Some actively engaged in mocking God and His Word, but many scoffed God’s Word by ignoring, disbelieving, and neglecting it. Scripture will come to pass, and scoffers will fall under His judgment. There will be no gospel benefits for them – only condemnation for their sin and unbelief.

The gospel’s warning is that those who refuse salvation will receive condemnation. We have a tendency, as in Paul’s day, to avoid weighty, serious, and important matters. However, this warning is meant to arrest our attention and move us to self-examination. Do we make light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we scoffers in how we live and treat God’s Word and our spouses, children, parents, bosses, or neighbors? Or do we live out a humble trust in the risen Christ? Only those who believe receive the benefits of the gospel. May we all would be such partakers in this glorious salvation of our Lord and Savior.