Read Acts 24:22-27; 25:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

The Importance Of The Resurrection

Paul was arrested and sent to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix. Felix found no reason to punish Paul, but still left him in chains to appease the Jews. Paul had an opportunity to preach to Felix and his wife Drusilla, and he spoke “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). Just as Felix refused to make a decision about Paul’s criminal case, he refused to make a decision about his own spiritual condition. For two years Paul was held, though he was innocent of all charges.

Then Festus came to office. The Jews wanted Festus to hear Paul’s case, and the governor was disappointed that the matter was nothing more than a religious dispute “about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive” (Acts 25:19). In that statement, perhaps we get a small glimpse of what kept Paul going despite his imprisonment.

Paul’s hope and faith rested in the resurrection. It was evident in his preaching. How often had Paul declared that “God raised (Jesus) from the dead” (Acts 13:30), or “that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (Acts 17:3)? He declared that Jesus would judge the world and that God “has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

His hope and faith in the resurrection were also evident in Paul’s writing. He wrote, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

The hope of our resurrection rests on the Lord’s resurrection. Study 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, which teaches the futility of faith if the resurrection is not true. Paul declared, “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Corinthians 6:14).

Have you died to your sins and been buried in baptism? If you have, you can have the hope of eternity with Him because of His resurrection!