Before we get into Acts 13, some background needs to be given.

In order to understand what Paul is talking about in Acts 13, there must be an understanding of the theme of the Bible.

Yes, folks, the Bible does have one major theme that runs through all of its pages.

If we were to ask most people what the main theme of the Bible is, we probably would receive answers like:

Salvation.

Redemption.

Love.

Peace.

How to get to Heaven.

Although all of these themes can be found in the Bible, none of these are the MAIN theme of the Bible. All of these are just SIDE ISSUES as compared to the MAIN THEME of Scripture.

The MAIN THEME of Scripture, folks, is A KING and A KINGDOM.

From Genesis to Revelation, this is the MAIN POINT of Gods Book!

Jesus dying on the cross was the most important event that has ever happened in the history of the world.

But there is a MORE IMPORTANT event coming.

The MOST IMPORTANT EVENT on Gods calendar is found JUST BEFORE the verse we are concerned with in this study, Psalm 2:7.

The MOST IMPORTANT EVENT on Gods calendar is found in Psalm 2:6

Psa 2:6 "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."

Look, folks, Gods death on the cross and His resurrection was for OUR benefit and OUR welfare.

But how UTTERLY SELFISH of us to think that this is the MOST IMPORTANT THING to God.

The Most IMPORTANT THING to God is HIS SON taking His rightful place on Davids Throne in Jerusalem as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
(why do you think the true Bible is a KING James Bible? ;) )

This short study will not allow an indepth look into this theme running throughout Scripture.
I look forward to Shain's posts on this subject.


NOW we have enough background to approach Acts 13 with some understanding.

In Acts 13:16, Paul addresses the men of Israel and begins to expound to them how God used Israel to set up a KINGDOM.

He continues this until he gets to JESUS in Acts 13:23

Acts 13:23 "Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: "

What was the promise to Israel?
A SAVIOUR!

Not just a NATIONAL SAVIOUR (Physical Kingdom - "Kingdom of Heaven")
But an INDIVIDUAL SAVIOUR (Spiritual Kingdom - "Kingdom of God")

Israel understood the National Saviour, physical Kingdom stuff, but they missed the Individual Saviour, Spiritual Kingdom stuff.

Today, we, as Christians, understand the Individual Saviour, Spiritual Kingdom stuff, but many times we miss the Bible truth that one day God will set up a PHYSICAL, LITERAL KINGDOM with NATIONAL ISRAEL where He will REIGN from Davids THRONE as a PHYSICAL, LITERAL KING!

In Acts 13, Paul is trying to explain to the men of Israel, that, Jesus did not just come to be a PHYSICAL, NATIONAL Saviour, but a SPIRITUAL, INDIVIDUAL Saviour.

Jesus accomplished this through dying on the cross and Rising Again.

Acts 13:28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher.
Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead:


The THEME of Pauls message in Acts 13 is GOD has sent a SAVIOUR through Israel!

Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
Acts 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.


In verse 32, Paul reiterates that God made a promise to the fathers.
What was the promise? Verse 23.
God would bring a SAVIOUR to Israel.

Verse 33 is the verse that quotes our main thrust in this study, Psalm 2:7.

The argument of the eternal Sonship doctrine is that Acts 13:33 states that the resurrection is the FULFILLMENT of Psalm 2:7.

Lets examine this and see if it holds true.

Weve said that Pauls message in Acts 13 is that God has sent a Saviour to Israel, the promised Messiah.
Paul is trying to SHOW the men of Israel that he is not to be just a PHYSICAL Saviour but a SPIRITUAL Saviour.
This was accomplished through the Death, Burial, and Resurrection.

Now look at verse 33 with me again:

Acts 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

In the beginning of verse 33 Paul tells the men of Israel that the PROMISE to the FATHERS is FULFILLED because Jesus has RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

Then Paul says as it is also written in the second psalm
In other words folks, the second Psalm IS THE FULFILLED PROPHECY of Pauls message.

God promised Israel a Saviour.
Jesus IS that Saviour.

as it is also written in the second psalm

WHATS written in the second Psalm, folks?
That Jesus would rise from the dead?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Whats written in the second Psalm is that God would have a Son that He would beget for Israel.
This SON would be the PROMISED SAVIOUR.
That this Son rose from the dead is the PROOF that He is the PROMISED SAVIOUR.


Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee has NOTHING TO DO with the resurrection.

It has EVERYTHING TO DO with the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON that God would send to save Israel.

Paul states this EMPHATICALLY in verse 34.

Acts 13:34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

Paul says NOW hell give you some Old Testament Scriptures concerning the Resurrection.
Read the verse folks.
That is EXACTLY what Paul says.

Psalm2:7 doesnt concern the Resurrection.

II Samuel 7:14 concerns the Resurrection.
Isaiah 55:3 concerns the Resurrection.
Psalm 16:10 concerns the Resurrection.
THESE are the verses Paul quotes concerning the Resurrection, NOT Psalm 2:7

Psalm 2:7 IS NOT fulfilled by the Resurrection.
Psalm 2:7 IS PROVED by the Resurrection.

Paul states it the SAME WAY in Romans 1.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead :


Now let me ask you something, folks.
Was Jesus Christ the Son of God before the Resurrection?
Of course He was.
Ive seen those who believe in eternal Sonship try to work their way around Romans 1:4 by saying Jesus became the Son of God in a special way at His resurrection.

How RIDICULOUS, folks.

What Paul is saying in Romans 1:4 is that the Resurrection is the PROOF that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Resurrection is the PROOF of Psalm 2:7.
It is NOT the FULFILLMENT of Psalm 2:7

Psalm 2:7 was fulfilled when Jesus was born of the virgin.
That Jesus was the only begotten Son of God (Psalm 2:7) was PROVEN when He ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!

It's all right there in the pages of the King James, folks.

Next we'll look at Hebrews 1:5