“In Defence Of The Resurrection!”(Acts 24:10-21).
Lord Jesus Christ, because you live, I can face today and tomorrow too!
Core tenets of the Christian faith include the following:
- Belief in the Godhead of the Trinity: three persons in one God. God the Father who creates, God the Son who redeems and God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father, born of a virgin. He was crucified, l he died, was buried, and was raised to life. He is the Saviour of humanity.
- Salvation is found in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.
- Human beings are sinful by nature. They cannot be saved by works. They are saved by grace. Salvation is for those who, by faith, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died and was raised to life and reigns eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
- The resurrection of the dead is real. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the resurrection.
- Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. During the Second Coming, all the dead shall be raised to life. Those who believed in Christ shall be with him in heaven enjoying eternal bliss, and those who do not believe in him shall face eternal wrath.
We constantly recite the Apostles and Nicene creeds to remind ourselves of these core tenets. During his earthly ministry, Jesus said he will die but will be raised back to life on the third day. Those who accused him of blasphemy killed him and put all measures to ensure that his disciples did not steal his corpse and claim that he had been raised to life.
He rose from the dead and was seen by eyewitnesses who later on were ready to die as they testified to his resurrection.
Paul, who at the time of Jesus’ death was not yet a disciple, was converted by Jesus himself. Paul, who hitherto had been persecuting Christians, became a staunch disciple after his conversion. Paul was arrested by the Jewish religious authorities and charged before Governor Felix for being “a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is the ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple…”
In his defence, Paul said interalia, “I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect…” Paul said his only offence was this one thing he shouted as he stood in their presence in the Sanhedrin: “It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.”
By this statement, Paul set confusion among his accusers. The majority were Pharisees who believed in the resurrection; even if they did not believe that Jesus had resurrected.
Without going into the polemics of the trial, it is enough to say that this text is brought up nearer to Advent to prepare us for Christmas. It is to remind us that Christmas is not so much about the birth of baby Jesus. It is so much a reminder of why he was born. It is also to cause us prepare spiritually for his second coming when he comes as Judge. “The life that was given to us at Christmas was given for us on Calvary.”
Jesus the Christ is the first born of the resurrection. And because he lives, we who believe in him will be with him where he is.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Redeemer, and I know you liveth. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
25/11/2025.