“I stand trial for the hope of the promise made by God”

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I’ve been studying in Acts 25 where Paul appears before Fetus. For me this passage has been so necessary in connection with 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether you be in faith...

Acts 25:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, ...whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

In summary here Paul is being brought up on charges for affirming “He lives” ...on trial for the hope of God who said that the messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead...and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul is affirming, asserting He lives and goes on to tell them about his meeting with Jesus of Nazareth on the road. he tells them “I obeyed the voice from heaven.”

“So king Agrippa I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision” which spoke from heaven ...consider that for a minute “I obeyed the voice from heaven” with Hebrews 12:25-26 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: [26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

... “him that speaks from heaven”.

Paul appears before Fetus. And serious charges are against Paul which they can not prove. What are those charges? “But the accusations made against him were not any of the crimes expected” no...instead, “something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.”

So much are these charges not what is expected ...they do not even know how to investigate such charges. “about a dead man, Jesus whom Paul asserts to be alive.”

“Being at a loss how to investigate such matters —about a dead man Paul asserts is alive—Paul is asked if he is willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters?

Those (Loudly declaring) against Paul ...Paul ought not live any longer. Meaning basically shut this mans mouth up. Or later it will be heard “our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged”

For it seems absurd (without reason) sending a prisoner not to indicate also the charges against him.

PAUl’S DEFENSE:
“In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews—I consider myself fortunate (blessed, happy) that I am about to make my defense before you today. now I stand trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.”


“If they would admit it, they know that I (Saul/Paul) have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors.
...In fact, that is why the twelve tribes zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet your majesty, they accuse me for having this hope. (In saying He lives)
...WHY does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?” Why does it seem Incredible (unbelievable) to assert “He lives”?

Consider that question of why does it seem so incredible (unbelievable) to any of you —awaiting the hope promised of God—that “He lives” God able raise the dead?

The accusations: this man speaks of a dead man, named Jesus Christ and asserts(insists) He Is Alive!
How do we investigate such a thing? As saying a dead man is alive?

The voice spoken from heaven to Saul/Paul “Stand up on your feet: for this purpose I have appeared to you —a witness not only to the things which you have seen, BUT ALSO to the thing in which I will appear to you.”

Paul’s final defense in closing before them looking for the hope and promise of God: “I stand to day testifying both to small and great...to bond and free...to male and female...to Jew and Gentiles ...I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses SAID WOULD HAPPEN —that the Messiah would suffer and BE THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD, and in this way ANNOUNCE God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.

Fetus shouted “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”

Psalm 89:48 What man is he that lives, and shall not see death(corruption)?

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