Resurrection Faith and Past Persecution (Acts 26:8-12)

Scripture: Acts 26:8-12

Today’s Word

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

Background

Key Terms Made Simple

• Resurrection: When a dead person comes back to life. The event of Jesus rising from the dead three days after His crucifixion is the most important foundation of Christian faith.
• Authority: Official power or permission to do something. Paul received formal authority from the chief priests to arrest and punish Christians.
• The Lord’s people: People who believe in God and are set apart as holy. Here it refers to believers in Jesus in the early church.
• Synagogue: A place where Jews gathered to read Scripture, pray, and worship.

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?”
2. “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth”
3. “I was so obsessed with persecuting them”

Main Points of the Text

1. Core Question of Resurrection Faith: Paul reveals that the fundamental cause of all his suffering was his belief in the resurrection. He challenges his audience by asking why it should be difficult to believe that the almighty God can bring about resurrection.
2. Past Zealous Persecution: Paul specifically describes how zealously he once persecuted Christians. He had official authority to imprison believers, voted for their execution, went through synagogues punishing them, and forced them to blaspheme Jesus.
3. From Convinced Opponent to Devoted Witness: Paul’s confession of his past goes beyond simply admitting his wrongs; it testifies to God’s transforming power. By showing how he went from being the most convinced opponent to the most devoted witness, he proves the power of the risen Jesus.

Applying to My Life

1. Examining My Resurrection Faith: Do I truly believe in Jesus’ resurrection? How does this belief show up in my life? Resurrection faith should not be just intellectual knowledge, but a power that changes the direction and choices of my life.
2. Honestly Acknowledging Past Wrongs: Like Paul, we too should be able to honestly acknowledge our past mistakes without hiding them. This actually becomes a way to more brightly reveal God’s grace. When we know how dark a place we were in, we can more deeply realize how amazing God’s salvation is.
3. Discerning Misguided Zeal: Paul zealously opposed God with misguided conviction. We too can sometimes be zealous for wrong things under the guise of supporting truth. We must always examine whether our zeal truly follows God’s will or just follows our own thoughts and emotions.

Think About It

1. Why did Paul begin his defense with a question about resurrection? Why is resurrection faith the core of Christian faith?
2. Why did Paul confess his dark past in such detail and honesty? How does this add power to his testimony?
3. Have you ever been convinced and done something wrong like Paul? What did you learn from that experience? How did God use that experience?