What is your hope?

In the account of the Early Church there are several accounts of Paul standing in front of his accusers. In one of these accounts, Paul is defending himself before the religious leaders of his day. Here is one of Paul’s defenses:

"I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6).

This defense created quite a stir because his accusers were divided about their view of the possibility of any resurrection. There were two sects of Judaism:  one did not believe in any resurrection (Sadducees) and one sect that believed in a resurrection (Pharisees).

While Paul was a member of the Pharisees he was also a follower of Jesus and believed in the resurrection of Jesus. Paul preached a message of resurrection and declared that Christian hope was based on the reality of Christ’s resurrection.

The debate over the resurrection of Jesus continues as strongly today as it did 2,000 years ago. Several theories about the resurrection have been proposed. There are numerous books that have been written to defend the historicity of he resurrection. Biblical scholar, N. T. Wright wrote one of the most recent. An older classical study was written by Frank Morison.

I believe that one of the significant points by the writer of the Acts of the Holy Spirit is to focus on the hope of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus points us the immortality of human existence. Some day there will be a new heaven and earth that we will occupy.

Are you focused on your hope?

Ron Friesen © 2015