What Makes the Resurrection So Important! - Acts 24
Acts 24 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
As Paul presents his case before King Felix, who is the Roman governor over Judea, his basic goal is to show that he is really no different than the other Jews. His accusers are trying to convince the King that Paul represents a threat to him and the city, and he may be trying to start an uprising. As part of the charge they are saying he does not teach the tradition and laws of Moses. Therefore, Paul points to the fact that as a good Jews he presented himself as ceremonially clean when he showed up in the temple courts and taught nothing contrary to the law and the prophets.
So Paul does two things. While not denying He is a Christian, he points out that what he is teaching is a message that the Jews should know from the Law and the Prophets. In a similar way to Jesus, Paul asks what crime he has committed? What offense did he bring? It is really quite brilliant. Paul does say there is one thing different about him and his accusers. He clearly taught about the resurrection of the dead.
At the end of the day the linchpin of the Christian faith is the resurrection of the dead, and specifically the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Pharisees believed the resurrection would happen one day, but did not believe Jesus rose from the dead; thus denying he was the Messiah.
At the end of our lives we will die. At that point we will find out if what we believe is true. If we are raised again what we believe is true. If we just cease to exist in any way, then some might say (including Paul) that our faith was futile and in vain.
While i believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus with all of my heart, when I die if there happens to be no resurrection of the dead I would still be happy I put my faith in Christ. Why? Because even if there is no resurrection of the dead, I got to live a great life. I had purpose in my life. I had a person to follow and emulate, my Lord Jesus Christ. He taught me what true love looked like. When I followed his way of life, I experienced abundant life. What is the downfall if there is no resurrection anyways? I could have sinned more? I don't think so.
Friends as followers of Christ, or maybe someone who is seeking Christ, we don't have to tell people they are wrong and we are right. We need to know what we believe and why, and then live out our faith everyday loving others the way Christ loved us. But what does distinguish from all other faiths is that we believe Jesus was and is the Son of God and was raised from the dead. When we die or Jesus returns our faith will become site!
As Paul presents his case before King Felix, who is the Roman governor over Judea, his basic goal is to show that he is really no different than the other Jews. His accusers are trying to convince the King that Paul represents a threat to him and the city, and he may be trying to start an uprising. As part of the charge they are saying he does not teach the tradition and laws of Moses. Therefore, Paul points to the fact that as a good Jews he presented himself as ceremonially clean when he showed up in the temple courts and taught nothing contrary to the law and the prophets.
So Paul does two things. While not denying He is a Christian, he points out that what he is teaching is a message that the Jews should know from the Law and the Prophets. In a similar way to Jesus, Paul asks what crime he has committed? What offense did he bring? It is really quite brilliant. Paul does say there is one thing different about him and his accusers. He clearly taught about the resurrection of the dead.
At the end of the day the linchpin of the Christian faith is the resurrection of the dead, and specifically the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Pharisees believed the resurrection would happen one day, but did not believe Jesus rose from the dead; thus denying he was the Messiah.
At the end of our lives we will die. At that point we will find out if what we believe is true. If we are raised again what we believe is true. If we just cease to exist in any way, then some might say (including Paul) that our faith was futile and in vain.
While i believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus with all of my heart, when I die if there happens to be no resurrection of the dead I would still be happy I put my faith in Christ. Why? Because even if there is no resurrection of the dead, I got to live a great life. I had purpose in my life. I had a person to follow and emulate, my Lord Jesus Christ. He taught me what true love looked like. When I followed his way of life, I experienced abundant life. What is the downfall if there is no resurrection anyways? I could have sinned more? I don't think so.
Friends as followers of Christ, or maybe someone who is seeking Christ, we don't have to tell people they are wrong and we are right. We need to know what we believe and why, and then live out our faith everyday loving others the way Christ loved us. But what does distinguish from all other faiths is that we believe Jesus was and is the Son of God and was raised from the dead. When we die or Jesus returns our faith will become site!
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