Matters of Faith: Do You Believe it Now? - Article.

Do You Believe it Now?

By Reverend J. Loren Russell

 

Acts 2:22-24, 27

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

Peter, who we have come to know as the impetuous disciple was moved by the Holy Spirit to speak directly to the men of Judea and all who dwelled in Jerusalem. Peter sites the miracles, wonders, and signs that God the Father did through Christ as an attestation of Jesus’ deity and His resurrection. He then quotes King David who says that the soul of Jesus shall not be left to rot in the grave. Death could not hold Him, nor the grave consume Him. David prophesied His Resurrection more than 800 years before Jesus, the Word of God, became flesh.

For those who believe, the Resurrection is undisputable. Many believers worldwide recite The Apostle’s Creed as a reminder of the purpose, sacrifice, and exaltation of Jesus. It reminds us of ‘who,’ ‘why,’ and ‘what’ we believe. Perhaps it will provide another perspective for you as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

 

“I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, dead, and was buried. He descended into Hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there, He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen!”

 

Do you believe it now?

 

Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

 

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of both LaGree Baptist Church and the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on YouTube and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smash words.com/books/view/993177.