The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul began to answer for himself before Felix the governor by saying, “Forasmuch as I know that you have been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. Because that you may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto you, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul tells Felix how he has, “hope toward God”, where we read:
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow,
that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
The verse begins, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, ...” Luke began with the words, “and have hope toward God” which means “and hold, own and possess expectation of good, joyful and confident expectation the Heavenly Father God”, “which they themselves” or “that the Jewish people their own selves” “also allow” which means “even so and indeed permit, receive and admit”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” that he was “expectant” toward the Heavenly Father God which was even so permitted and accepted by the Jewish people who accused him.
The verse continues, “... that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Luke added the words, “that there shall be” which means “that there will exist, intend and have in mind” “a resurrection of the dead” or “a raising from the lifeless, non-breathing and inanimate”, “both of the just and unjust” which means “including people who are righteous, observing divine laws, virtuous and who keep the command of God and the violators of justice, deceitful and sinful”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” he, like his Jewish accusers, had “hope toward God” that there would be a raising of the dead for every person whether they are “righteous” or “wicked”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” aligned himself with the “hope toward God” concerning the “resurrection of the dead” even as his Jewish complainants. “Paul” identified with his accusers, and this gave him audience to speak to everyone about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather than just defend himself in a hostile manner, “Paul” aligned himself with his accusers so He could tell everyone listening about his conversion to following Jesus. God wants people to turn to Him from their wicked ways, submit to His Son Jesus and follow Him for all their lives. When they yield to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will see the wisdom in “Paul's” defense and surrender themselves to God Almighty who made a plan to save mankind.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells Felix, “I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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