“On Trial For The Resurrection Hope!”

“On Trial For The Resurrection Hope!”(Acts24:10-21).
My Islam teacher, one of our fathers in the faith said there is a sense in which all Christians are Islam, since Islam means “submission to the will of God.” Christian use of the name Pharisee tends to be perjorative, as if we are not adherents of Pharisaic beliefs. Jesus opposed their legalism which overshadowed and relegated true God oriented requirements to the background.
There comes a time when in defense of our faith we can like Paul say confidently, “I am a Pharisee…I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead“(Acts 23:6).
The Lord Jesus Christ did not introduce the resurrection hope. He worked with a concept that was already there serving as “Praeparatio evangelica” Jesus filled the old with new content. Paul says, “I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect…” So to say, he is worshipping an old God in a new Way.
The members of the Sanhedrin included Pharisees and Sadduccees. While the Pharisees believed in the resurrection and in angels, the Sadduccees did not. Paul took advantage of this to set confusion in the camp of his haters.
Worst of it, his accusers could only come up with trumped up charges. When they brought him before Felix, they falsely accused him of being “a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world…a ring leader of the Nazarene sect and even attempted to desecrate the temple…”(Acts 24:5-6). Even those who would have rightfully charged him – if there was any charges at all – were not there.
Defending himself before Felix, Paul said, “It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.”
Yes my friend, the resurrection hope should be what they should accuse us of. The trumped up charges and false accusations should not scare you, as long as you believe in the resurrection hope and that Jesus Christ is the first born of the resurrection through whom you will also rise.
Our resurrection hope is what we use to set confusion in the enemy camp. While they disagree amongst themselves, they can never agree on a verdict.
Whoever is called by the Lord Jesus Christ will withstand the storms until the mission is accomplished. These words of assurance is also to you: “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome”(Acts 23:11).
Paul was in other ways affirming: “I stand firm for what I believe. Jesus was raised to life and all the dead will arise. If this is the only charge, then I’m guilty, but any other charges are trumped up and my accusers themselves know it!” It is in the same way that Luther’s Ninety-five Theses was linked to the resurrection and when he was accused and asked to recant, he said, “Here I stand. God help me.”
May our resurrection hope continue to set confusion in the enemy’s camp, until we see our Redeemer face to face.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ I know and believe that you are the resurrection and the life. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.