Continued: Chapter XV-Sources of Information Regarding the Messiah

The study of miracles, Book One, Chapter VIII, reveals that they are, in fact, not only possible, but also necessary to the carrying out of the plan and program of the Scriptures. They are part of the spiritual aspect of the great redemption offered to man by his Creator. The heart of the question of miracles is set forth in the answer to the following question: "Was Jesus Christ raised from the dead?" If He was, the New Testament together with the Old Testament stands. If He was not raised, the entire body of the Scriptures is proved false. The basis for this assertion is found in Revelation 19:10: "… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:1-4 affirms that Christ was declared to be the Son of God by the Resurrection.

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord.

The body of Jesus was laid in the tomb on Friday evening after the Crucifixion. It lay there throughout the Sabbath and was not there at dawn on the first day of the week.

50 And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God: 52 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain. 54 And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: 5 and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. 11 And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. 12 But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass (Luke 23:50-24:12).

The Apostle John gives his testimony concerning the empty tomb.

20 Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. 2 She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; 5 and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in. 6 Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 So the disciples went away again unto their own home (John 20:1-10).

Now note the significant statement found in verses 8 and 9: "Then entered in therefore the other disciple also who came first to the tomb, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the Scripture that he must rise again from the dead."

In these verses John states that he and Peter, together with the rest of the disciples, did not understand the Scriptures relative to Jesus' rising from the dead. When the body of Jesus was laid in the tomb, they gave up all hope that they had had in Him. On the evening of the Resurrection day Jesus appeared to two of His disciples as they were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Upon His joining them, He asked what they were talking about as they were walking along the road. They were surprised at the question. One of them then asked, "Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?" Jesus asked, "What things?" They replied, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel." Then they added: "Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. 22 Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; 23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not" (Luke 24:18-24). This conversation clearly reveals that the disciples did not believe that He would rise from the dead. With the interment of His body they buried all hope of His redeeming Israel.

The Apostle Peter also makes it clear that he did not believe Jesus would rise from the dead and that he buried all hopes that he had had in Jesus when the body was laid in the tomb.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (I Pet. 1:1-5).

Peter had his hopes centered in Jesus; but, as stated before, during his personal ministry, when Jesus was crucified, these hopes died. When he discovered that Jesus had been raised from the dead, his hopes that had died at the Crucifixion were revived and became a living hope.

On the morning of the Resurrection, when the women reported that Jesus had been raised from the dead, Peter and John did not believe them. When they both went into the tomb, they saw the linen burial cloths, that had been wrapped around the body for burial, lying untouched and undisturbed by mortal hands. When Jesus was prepared for burial, about one hundred pounds of spices were used (John 19:39) according to the Jewish method of burial. The juices naturally saturated these cloths and stiffened them to a certain extent. Peter and John could see very clearly that no human hands had touched the cloths, although the body of Jesus was not there. They had to account for the disappearance of the body. How could it get out of this cast, as it were, the cloths retaining the shape that they took when they were wrapped around His body? And how could He arise without disturbing the cloths? Only one explanation was possible to them—His transformed, resurrection body had passed through these cloths and left them undisturbed. The condition, therefore, of the cloths was the crowning proof on this occasion to the apostles that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Thus the condition of the cloths led the apostles from their negative attitude toward the Resurrection of Jesus to a positive, firm conviction that He had been raised from the dead. Upon no other ground could they account for the condition in which they found the cloths on this occasion.

Jesus told the disciples before His Crucifixion that He would meet them in Galilee. Being convinced that He had been raised from the dead, they met Him at the place previously designated. Concerning this meeting, we read: "When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted" (Matt. 28:17). But these doubts were dispelled by the appearance of Jesus on that occasion.

The Apostle John gives a fine statement concerning why the apostles were of the profound and unshakable conviction that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life 2 (and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); 3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: 4 and these things we write, that our joy may be made full (I John 1:1-4).

The apostles had heard with their ears, seen with their eyes, and handled with their hands the Word of life—Christ, the Word of life. They had the testimony of three of their normal senses. They, therefore, were thoroughly convinced that it was He who appeared to them. The infallible proofs that convinced the apostles that Jesus had been raised from the dead are sufficient to convince anyone who will look at the facts and the evidence.

On the first Pentecost after the Resurrection of Christ, the Apostle Peter with the other apostles proclaimed in Jerusalem that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead, giving scriptural proof of that momentous fact. In order that the reader might hear the testimony of Peter, who doubtless, with John, examined the actual evidence of the empty tomb, I shall quote his message in its historical setting:

2 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans? 8 And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, 10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another. What meaneth this? 13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; 16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:¹

17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God,
I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
18 Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above,
And signs on the earth beneath;
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the day of the Lord come,
That great and notable day:
21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; 23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David saith concerning him,
I beheld the Lord always before my face;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.

29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; 31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said unto them. Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. 46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved (Acts, chapter 2).

According to Peter's inspired statement, Jesus of Nazareth had been approved of God to Israel by wonders and signs and mighty works, but He had also been delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God and crucified. Though He had been executed and buried, He did not remain in the tomb. On the third day He was raised from the dead and appeared to chosen witnesses who testified to the fact of His Resurrection. About three thousand of the audience were convinced by the message and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The proof presented in this message was sufficient to convince those people who were on the ground when Jesus was crucified that He had been raised from the dead.

In the third chapter of Acts appears the second recorded sermon of the Apostle Peter.

11 And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people. Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, 15 and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: 21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old. 22 Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. 23 And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. 25 Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities (Acts 3:11-26).

The inspired speaker acknowledged that those who had executed Jesus had done so in ignorance, but that, in demanding His death, they had simply carried out the plan of God which He had purposed before the foundation of the world—for the good of all. He then called upon the nation of Israel to repent of their having rejected Jesus and to turn to Him in order that their sins might be blotted out, to the end that God might send seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord and might send back the very Messiah whom He had already sent, and whom they had rejected. When Israel repents of this national crime and pleads for the Messiah to return, He will do so and solve the Jewish problem—once and for all.

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He appeared to various ones at different times. On one occasion, as previously shown, He appeared to above five hundred people at once (I Cor. 15:6), witnesses chosen beforehand of God to testify to His Resurrection (Acts 10:41).

The heart of the New Testament message is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. His Resurrection as an established fact, therefore, proves that the gospel records are true—are authentic, genuine documents, worthy of all acceptance.

The conversion of the Apostle Paul is of first importance in the examination of the genuineness and the authenticity of the Books constituting the New Testament. Saul of Tarsus was one of the bitterest opponents of Christianity. According to the record of Luke, found in Acts of the Apostles, Saul left no stone unturned in his fight against Christians. He pressed his warfare against them throughout Judæa; and then, armed with documents from the High Priest at Jerusalem, he went to Damascus, to continue there his warfare against believers in the Lord.

As he and those with him were approaching Damascus, suddenly something happened—something that changed the entire life and conduct of this zealous young Pharisee, who was standing in the foremost ranks of the Jewish religion: "… I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Gal. 1:14). Up to this point he had been a bitter opponent of Christ and Christianity. What occurred on this occasion radically changed his outlook. Instead of fanatically continuing to oppose Christianity and trying to destroy it, he became its most ardent advocate. Concerning this change, he makes this profound statement in I Timothy 1:12-14: "I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; 13 though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." He also records what the churches in Judæa were saying about him: "22 And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ: 23 but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; 24 and they glorified God in me" (Gal. 1:22-24).

What was this dynamic event that changed one of the bitterest opponents of Christianity into its most ardent advocate? The answer to this question will open up new vistas of truth. The best way—the scientific way—to get this answer is to classify all possible motives which prompt people to change their convictions and their religious affiliations. In my volume The Eternal God Revealing Himself to Suffering Israel and to Lost Humanity, pages 282-290, I have listed and classified all possible motives which cause people to change their religious convictions. Herewith I quote from this work: "A careful survey of such motives yields the following list: (1) weakmindedness; (2) unstable character; (3) lack of knowledge and independent thought; (4) a disgruntled spirit; (5) monetary considerations; (6) popularity; (7) persecution; (8) conviction. By 'weakmindedness' is meant a subnormal mental condition. In the class of 'unstable character' may be placed those individuals whose sentiment and emotions predominate over purpose, reason, and will. In the third class are those who do not know facts but who depend upon others to point out the way in which they are to go. In the class of 'disgruntled spirit' are those who are unhappy in a certain environment or position, and who imagine that some other place will yield greater happiness, advantages, opportunities, and the like. In the classification of 'monetary considerations' are those who are insincere, and who, having very low standards of right and wrong, make wealth and pleasure the supreme object of life. In the 'popularity' group are classed those individuals who prefer the praise and honor of men to that of God and act accordingly. In the 'persecution' group are those who change their affiliation rather than be persecuted for their conscientious convictions. In the last class, namely, that of 'conviction', are those who think for themselves and, being convinced that they are wrong, accept that which they know is right.

"No one for a moment would class Saul among the weakminded, for his epistles reveal the fact that he was an intellectual giant. It is admitted by logicians that the Book of Romans, which he wrote, is one of the most logical and powerful documents extant from all antiquity. Neither can he be classed among those of unstable character, for his entire life showed that sentimentality and emotionalism, while present in his make-up, were subordinate to reason, plan, and will. Again, he cannot be classed among those who lacked knowledge, and who looked to others for leadership, because he was a leader of men and gave evidence of a very broad culture and acquisition of knowledge. Neither can he be classed among the disgruntled spirits, for in the Jewish religion he was most powerful and influential. There was nothing that caused him to be agitated, disturbed, and disquieted because of factions or trouble in the ranks of Judaism. Money consideration never entered into his life. Had he chosen money he would have remained where he was. By making the change, he gave up the prospects of acquiring wealth and luxuries of life. Neither did popularity have any allurement for him. Had he desired it, he would have remained in Judaism; but by identifying himself with the Christians he, like Moses, who gave up the wealth of Egypt, and who identified himself with his persecuted brethren, stepped over into the ranks of the extremely unpopular. He did not change his religious association because he feared persecution. While he remained in Judaism, he was on the persecuting side; by identifying himself with the Christians, he joined the ranks of the persecuted.

"Having seen that it is impossible to classify Saul with any of the first seven groups, the reader is now asked to consider thoughtfully placing him in the last group, namely, those who change their religious affiliation because of honest, conscientious convictions which are based upon absolute and overwhelming proof. In this connection it is best to let him speak for himself and relate why he changed his conviction concerning Jesus and identified himself with the Christians." Here is Paul's² own testimony as to why he changed, followed by Luke's account of the same event:

22 Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you. 2 And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith, 3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day: 4 and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutes. 9 And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me. Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, 13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. 17 And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 18 and saw him saying unto me. Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me. 19 And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20 and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him. 21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles (Acts 22:1-21).

"Before King Agrippa II Paul delivered his second speech, in which he explains why he became a Christian."

26 And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: 3 especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; 7 unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! 8 Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 11 And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities. 12 Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 17 delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. 19 Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; 20 but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 21 For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come; 23 how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad. 25 But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds (Acts 26:1-29).




Footnotes:

¹ The prophecy of Joel which Peter quoted was spoken to the Jewish people. To ignore this fact and to apply it indiscriminately to people in general is to misinterpret and to misapply it.

That which occurred on Pentecost (Acts, chapter 2) was a partial, limited, and incomplete fulfillment of the prediction, which still awaits its complete materialization immediately before and during the Tribulation. Peter in referring to those things which were occurring at that time declared: "This is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel. ..." In other words, he pointed out that the things transpiring before their eyes were foretold in Joel's prophecy. But he did not say that all things mentioned in the prophecy were then coming to pass. I may enforce the point by saying that all people who live in Los Angeles live in California, but that all people who live in California do not live in Los Angeles.

This prophecy interpreted in the light of all the facts foretells the beginning of the revival in Israel before the Tribulation, which, at the close of the Tribulation, will sweep the nation of Israel surviving to that time into the kingdom of God.

² Saul's name was changed to Paul.

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