…but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
Acts 13:37
It’s not hard to understand that this verse refers to the Lord Jesus, especially if it is read in context as part of a sermon that the Apostle Paul gave at Antioch in Pisidia. Even so, those who purposely choose to misunderstand something can and will do so, hoping to confuse others at the same time.
False religious witnesses have been known to twist this verse to teach what it does not say. They argue, “If Jesus is ‘He Whom God Raised Up,’ then He can’t be God, because the verse shows that they are different.” Actually, the verse doesn’t show that, and here is the reason why.
The One, True God of the Universe can reveal Himself in three distinct ways as the Father, the Son, and as the Spirit. The Bible calls each God, and each had part in Christ’s resurrection.
God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4). “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)” (Galatians 1:1).
God the Holy Spirit resurrected the Savior. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).
Christ raised Himself up from the grave. Jesus said “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again…” (John 10:17,18). “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’” (John 2:19).
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit brought back Jesus from the dead. Confusing? It shouldn’t be. Christ is He Whom God Raised Up.
February 2
