SUNDAY February 4, 2024
The Resurrection of Jesus
“When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
Acts 25:18-21
The Jews had stood up to accuse Paul, but he had done nothing that warranted his death. Felix had found no crime, and neither had Festus. The issue was not the Temple riot, nor was it about the Law; the Jews took issue with his preaching about Jesus’ death and Resurrection.
Remember, the Sadducees did not believe in the Resurrection or angels or in any afterlife, and this had caused a dispute among the Pharisees and Sadducees. However, they all hated Paul and the message he preached about Jesus Christ. He proclaimed that Jesus died and rose from the dead. The Bible records that over 500 disciples saw him, and that Paul, when he was on his way to Damascus, encountered the Lord:
...He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep [died]. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me [Paul] also, as by one born out of due time (1 Corinthians 15:6-8).
The Jews had marked Paul and his message as phony. He was accused of heresy––a most serious accusation. Here lies the issue: You see, without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no future promise of eternal life for anyone. The Gospel becomes null and void––not valid! Believing in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes the direction of your eternal destination––heavenward.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth.
~Henry M. Morris~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
