Read and pray: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:8)
In this message, we will begin to consider Paul's defense before Agrippa and the judgment pronounced by Agrippa (26:1-32).
PAUL'S APPEAL TO AGRIPPA
AND HIS LIFE AS A PHARISEE
After Agrippa told Paul he was permitted to speak in his defense, Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense, saying: “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, to stand before you today and make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently” (vv. 2-3).
As we have pointed out several times, in facing his opponents, it was necessary for Paul to defend himself to save his own life from the hands of his persecutors. This way, he would be able to complete the course of his ministry. Paul appealed to Agrippa as someone well-versed in all Jewish customs and controversies. The Greek terms translated as “especially because you are well-versed” can also be rendered as “because you are especially well-informed.”
In verses 4 and 5, Paul continued: “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.”
Here, he vindicated himself by saying that even before his conversion, he was a proper person who lived rigorously as a Pharisee. Naturally, in God’s eyes, he was not proper. However, humanly speaking, he indeed lived a proper life and had no reason to be condemned.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESURRECTION
In verses 6 through 8, Paul spoke of the resurrection: “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” In verse 6, the Greek term translated as “because of” literally means “upon” or “on the basis of.”
In these verses, he indicates that, in contrast to the Sadducees, he had always believed in the resurrection. The resurrection was taught in the Old Testament, especially in Daniel 12. It is something that requires our careful consideration.
In the Bible, resurrection implies future judgment, and judgment implies eschatology. Resurrection, therefore, is related to our eternal future—whether we will be happy in eternity or suffer perdition. Someone’s eternal future depends on judgment, and judgment requires resurrection. Hence, we see that resurrection is important in Scripture because it concerns our eternal destiny.
Even before his conversion, Paul, as a Pharisee, believed in the resurrection. The Lord Jesus spoke clearly about the resurrection in John 5:28-29: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” We have seen that the resurrection of life is the resurrection of saved believers, which will take place before the millennium (Rev. 20:4, 6; 1 Cor. 15:23, 52; 1 Thess. 4:16).
The dead believers will rise to enjoy eternal life at the return of the Lord Jesus. The resurrection of judgment, which will occur after the millennium, is the resurrection of unbelievers (Rev. 20:5, 12). All dead unbelievers will be raised after the thousand years to be judged at the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15). Even before being saved, Paul believed in the resurrection of life and judgment, as taught in Daniel 12:2.
Enjoy more: Hymn 188
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