SATURDAY January 20, 2024
Having Hope in God
“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”
Acts 24:14-16
Paul continued his defense. He confessed his faith. He spoke of Christians by referring to them as those of the Way, which is a term or title for believers before they were called Christians. They were not heretics, nor were they a sect; they were rooted in the truth of the Resurrection.
Paul shared his faith before the council and Felix the governor. He spoke of his Jewish heritage and whom he worshiped, the God of his fathers––Jehovah Yahweh––the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These patriarchs knew about the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In fact, in John 8:56-58, Jesus told the religious Pharisees who reviled Him:
“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Paul believed the Prophets and all the prophecies they wrote about Christ in the Old Testament. Paul was a master theologian and was able to prove from the Scriptures who Christ is––God. In the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi you will find Christ.
After Paul presented his case, he turned to speak on a more serious subject––the judgment of God. He made them accountable for what they had just heard. There would be a Day of Judgment after the Resurrection of the just and unjust (Revelation 20:11-15). The council and Felix would be judged in a higher court by God, the Just Judge.
Share your hope in God with others before they are judged for their sins.
A day of judgment is coming. God’s kindness and long-suffering will not last forever. Ultimately they will give place to divine judgment according to righteousness.
~J.G. Vos~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
