Acts 17:18 “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.”
Paul preached the blessed foundational truths upon which we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). This blessed preaching of “Jesus, and the resurrection” is the ever-successful counterbalance to sin and evil; for, it strengthens and motivates the “born again” (John 3:1-8) Children of God. It empowers them to stand against sin and evil and motivates them to speak out against it. In our case, it also compels them to go to the polling places and choose political leaders who have Biblical morals and discipline. And, some are moved to seek political office to assist in the leadership of our Country. The preaching of “Jesus” is heralding the meaning of His name; that is, that Jehovah alone is our Salvation. The preaching of “Jesus” is declaring with “the centurion”, “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39). Furthermore, as “the Son of God”, “Jesus” is One in the Triune God (I John 5:7). Preaching “Jesus” is heralding that it is “Jesus” alone “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9). Preaching “Jesus” is heralding His Sacrificial Death, and that His Sacrifice was entirely sufficient to save all His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21, John 6:39). Preaching “Jesus, and the resurrection” is heralding that, because “Jesus” is indeed the Sovereign, Eternal God, He gave His life in Sacrificial Death and then He took it up again; He rose from the dead and then, and after being seen on earth for many days, He was observed ascending up to where now He “is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)! Furthermore, “Jesus” is the “Good Shepherd”, and He tells us that “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11). Where these foundational truths our preached and taught, God has mightily blessed His people; He has overthrown great corrupt powers and societies; but, has sustained His Children with these blessed truths ever since Christ gave them to us, they will not fail us now!