Paul’s accusers: “For 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.” [1]
Paul’s response: “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.” “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [2]
After Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and commissioned him to preach the Gospel to Jews, non-Jews and to kings, [3] the Apostle was not deterred by the false accusations and hardships that came against him. He had hope in God! He had hope in God because for him the resurrection from the dead of the just and the unjust was a reality.
Previously, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mocked him saying, “What does this babbler want to say?” While others said of him, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. [4]
Paul responded to these mockers and skeptics with a warning, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [5]
The revelation of Jesus Christ brought Paul to repentance. He repented of his rage against Jesus and His followers. Jesus led him and empowered him to become one of His greatest writers and proclaimers of the resurrection message. Thanks to God’s grace, every other priority of Paul gave way to the priority of preparing people for eternity. Despite mocking, mischaracterization, and maltreatment, he maintained his mission.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to prepare people for eternity by revealing Your Son Jesus Christ to them even as You have so graciously revealed Him to us. It is in His Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 24:15, 21
[3] Acts 9:15
[4] Acts 17:18
[5] Acts 17:30-31
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