What Makes Jesus Different from Founders of Other Religions?

Acts 25 Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.

Today, we continue to hear the historical details of Paul's trial, as it goes from venue to venue and ruler to ruler.  It reminds us the bible is a historical book, not a fairy tale.  King Felix, King Festus and King Agrippa and Bernice and are historical figures cited in antiquities. Festus, like Felix, fails to see Paul is guilty of any real offense.  Festus is in a tough spot.  On one hand he wants to be fair (he is known in a history as a lot more fair-minded then his predecessor Felix), but he also has a political interest to keep the Jews happy.  When King Agrippa comes with his sister, (history alludes to the fact that they had an incestuous relationship) they are curious about this man named Paul. Festus summarizes his findings to them by saying the Jews had no real case against Paul. Instead, "They had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive."

We see a couple of important things about Festus' statement.  First, it doesn't seem like Festus knew a lot about Jesus who Jewish leaders said, "was a dead man". Second he says, "Paul claimed he was alive."  Again we see the historical nature of the bible.  The secular and religious leaders in Jesus' day both confirm he died.  Everyone in Jesus' day believed he died a point that is never debated today.  But the message for which Paul was on trial for was, "Jesus was alive!". This is the crime for which the Jewish leaders wanted him arrested and condemned. So, we might say Paul was on trial for preaching the resurrection of Jesus.      

We know Buddha (aka Siddhārtha Gautama) lived roughly between the 4th and 6th century B.C. (Though the exact dates are debated). We know Mohammed, the founder of Islam, lived between 570 and 632 A.D..  We know Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, lived from 1805 to 1844.  These men have three things in common.  One, they were considered prophets of God and were given direct revelation from him to give to their people. Second their writings and teaching form the basis of the authoritative books of these religions.  Third, they all died, and no one ever claimed they were alive after they were dead.    

The book of Acts started with Jesus, risen from the dead, appearing to his 12 disciples and other women telling them he was alive like he said he would be. A few years later he appeared to the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. About 2,100 years later preachers will go up into their pulpits tomorrow and preach that Jesus "the dead man" now lives.  And some will face punishment and the possibility of death for teaching such things publicly.  May we be as bold as Paul to preach the Good News of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  And as we preach this message, we he knows he lives, and he lives with and in us.