Acts 13:38-39 Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:… I. THE BLESSINGS WHICH THE TEXT EXHIBITS — forgiveness and justification. 1. Forgiveness implies offence, and have not we transgressed the law of God, which is "holy, just, and good"? Divine forgiveness is a blessing of the highest worth. Whom the Lord pardons He pardons freely and completely. Hence He is represented as passing by transgression, not imputing iniquity, blotting out sin, casting it behind His back, sinking it in the depths of the sea, and remembering it no more. 2. But this leads to the other blessing — justification, "an act of God's free grace, whereby He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone." It is not a work wrought in, but an act passed upon us. It is also an act of God — "It is God that justifieth": and His act, not merely as a gracious Sovereign conferring a favour, but as a righteous Governor and Judge doing that which is every way equitable. The blessing includes not only the pardon of sins, but the acceptance of our persons. It is not only exemption from punishment, but restoration to favour; not only release from danger, but admittance into a state of high honour and real safety. II. THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY REACH. "The forgiveness of sins" means all sins; "justified from all things," i.e., from every charge which from any quarter can possibly be brought against us. Their atrocity shall not hinder any more than their number. Hence this clause, "from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Moses justified from some sins. Sin offerings were appointed to expiate smaller offences; but these did not avail in cases of more flagrant crimes; the sentence of the law against such offences was death, and no exemption was allowed. Nor could the legal sacrifices ever take away guilt from the conscience, except as the penitent offender, through them, had a believing reliance on the promised Redeemer. But the justification which the gospel sets forth extends to all classes of transgressions. III. THE MEDIUM THROUGH WHICH THESE BLESSINGS ARE CONFERRED. "Through this Man," and "by Him." 1. By Him these blessings were proclaimed. He preached the gospel with His own lips: He forgave the sins of many. He commissioned His apostles to announce the same things. And He has instituted the gospel ministry, whose grand object is the publication of what He Himself and His apostles published. 2. Through Him they are also procured. As it regards forgiveness, "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." As it regards justification, "As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous." He is, "made of God unto us, wisdom and righteousness." But all this implies the substitution of Christ. He suffered not only for our good, but in our place. "He who knew no sin was made sin," a sin offering," for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." IV. THE PERSONS BY WHOM THESE BLESSINGS ARE ENJOYED. "All that believe." On the doctrine of forgiveness this is the language, of Scripture; "Through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." On that of justification it is equally clear, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ." And what is believing? It is not an inward feeling which cannot be accounted for. It is not a presumptuous persuasion, which a man acquires he knows not how, that his state is certainly safe. It is giving credit to the truth of God's Word; a resting of the soul on that which He hath graciously revealed, so as to fall in heartily with the method of salvation made known in the Scriptures. As to the influence of faith in the justification of a sinner, it is evident faith does not effect it — "It is God that justifieth." Faith does not procure it — "It is Christ that died." But faith receives it. But mark the expression — "By Him all that believe are justified"; whether young or old, rich or poor, learned or illiterate, etc. Conclusion: From this subject learn — 1. The encouragement which springs from the love of Christ! 2. How just is the condemnation of impenitent transgressors! 3. How free is the salvation of the righteous! It is "not of works, lest any man should boast." 4. What a motive to gratitude and obedience! (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: |
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