“[God] now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (vs30-31).

The resurrection is God's proof that Jesus is Lord, coming again to judge the world. Some mock, others believe, but this is the truth that saves the soul.

First, some mock (vs32-33). “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, 'We will hear you again on this matter'. So Paul departed from among them”. They count it strange and don't see the beauty of God raising the dead and satisfying justice by His power, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Cor 1:22-23). They don't know the glory of the cross, they're fools, so they count foolish the wisdom of God. They don't see Him satisfied by the death of Christ, nor can they see how JUSTICE is honored by God rewarding His obedient Son.

His Lordship, His power, His doing as He pleases without regard to man's helpfulness is offensive to those who won't have Jesus Christ enthroned. A moral teacher... a religious leader... but not a Spiritual Lord arising to God's right hand, having satisfied justice against all the Father gave Him. They hate the wages of sin, and see no glory in the honor God has given to the sin-conquering Son. They are blind, yet God counts their blindness foolishness, and He still saves those who believe.

Secondly, some believe (vs34)! “However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagaite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them”. They hear the gospel, and though dead naturally in unbelief, by grace they enter in, miraculously receiving the truth to themselves. God SHOWS it to them, not as intellect, but as a matter of need, for death has no cure except Christ's atonement, and justice has no greater demand. He says, “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27). They see Him exalted and say, “Worthy is the Lamb! He deserves to sit enthroned”. They are not mad at God's Son. Like Joseph's brethren, they are THANKFUL that He'd save them with power, saving sinners worthy of wrath. We believe the resurrection has taken place within us also. We believe Christ gives LIFE to sinners.

Thirdly, all who believe are saved (vs34)! “Some men joined him and believed”. They experience God's power, more than in the head, but in the heart by obedience and life experiences. He truly is righteous to save by faith, giving us everything that we need, freely, and by faith only. He enters us and delivers us by trusting the Son. “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 John 5:11). He is not a promising, but then failing God. He promised to save, and by faith and repentance, He does. He does rescue believers.