Second Sunday of Easter
"Easter People, Raise Your Voices"
What difference does Easter make? How do we live as Easter people?
This week we begin a six-week Easter Season series from the Book of Acts. We will be exploring various “Easter People” from the biblical book of Acts – people like Paul, Tabitha, Peter and Lydia – and in our contemporary world.
Easter People live and move in light of the good news of Resurrection. How do the events of Easter affect our lives and actions today? What difference does Resurrection make? Join us as we seek to become witnesses to Resurrection, to be Easter People!
Acts 5:27-32
This week's lesson from Acts contains a speech, a testimony, from Peter and the apostles about Jesus. Therefore, we begin our Easter season series with the original Easter person, Jesus.
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
What difference does Easter make in the life and ministry of Jesus?
Peter testifies that God has raised Jesus up and exalted him as Leader and Savior. In fact, Peter does not claim that God had Jesus killed but that the leaders at the time killed Jesus. God seems more responsible for the response to this death.
In your understanding of Jesus, where does Easter fit?
The Hymn
Our series title "Easter People, Raise Your Voices" is based on a hymn by the same name. The hymn was written by The Reverend William Marceus James (1913-2013). Rev. James was an African-American United Methodist minister. You can learn more about Rev. James and his hymn here.
A Benediction (Or Miscellaneous Thoughts)
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