Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead."
Acts23:6
It is significant that in the book of Acts, the the early church's preaching was characterised by an emphasis on the Resurrection:
The preaching of Peter and John and the Jerusalem church (ch.4) emphasised resurrection, Paul stressed the resurrection on the Aeropagus in Greece (ch.17) even though people disdained him for it, and here in Acts 23 Paul proclaims the resurrection even though it makes the Saducees angry.
The Resurrection is a key part of our faith: Some consider it controversial and others consider it optional. The early church believed it, lived it and preached it.
Here are some of the important reasons why:
* It completed their picture of Christ who was both fully God and fully man. He died as a man for our sins and rose from the dead because death could never hold one as Holy as He.
* The resurrection was their hope that the sacrifice of Christ was complete and sufficient. There is nothing more to be done. Christ opens the way for all who trust in Him.
* Their faith was not a historical faith that could only look back to what Christ _had_ done. They were in living and vibrant relationship with the living Christ, who guided them, heard their prayers, and, as in the case of Stephen, welcomed them into glory.
* The early church faced intimidating circumstances. They were persecuted and even martyred for their faith. Their absolute conviction in the resurrection helped them to hold this life loosely.
They dared to believe that Christ was risen and they changed the world. Will we?
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
