Chief priest, elders/officials, the Governor, a famous orator, and a courtroom packed with people! Paul on trial! What’s his topic of choice at this moment? The resurrection of the dead!
The accusations against Paul were...
“We have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [2]
Imagine that! Some people don’t like Paul rallying others to believe in Jesus of Nazareth!
Paul, though vastly outnumbered, relied on the truth to defend himself:
“They neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.” [3]
But then, he circled back to his main concern... to witness for Christ... to witness for the resurrection:
“Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [4]
The Roman Governor Felix commanded “the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.”
Later, Governor Felix “sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” Paul reasoned with the Governor “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” [5]
This man, Paul, was he whom the Lord used to write most of the books in the New Testament. His writings about Christ have been read and taught in seminaries, schools, and churches around the world many times over. He invested heavily in Christianity. His investment still yields returns today. Trials turned to gold! Not into the perishable gold of this world, but into the metaphoric gold of numerous souls in heaven via his witness for Christ!
May the Lord help us all to be so bold for Jesus the Nazarene...
“Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” [6]
[1] Acts 24:15
[2] Acts 24:5
[3] Acts 24:12-13
[4] Acts 24:21
[5] Acts 24:23-25
[6] Psalm 80:3
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