The Bible Study New Testament

Acts 26:4-8

All the Jews know how I have lived. His life had been lived in agreement with the Law. They knew about his education in Jerusalem, and that he lived as a Pharisee, the strictest of the Jewish sects [the Essenes were a quasi-Jewish sect, with some pagan elements]. Because I hope in the promise. Note how he presents Christ as the fulfillment of the PROMISE that God made to the ancestors. He had not "turned traitor" to the Law, but had become a "fulfilled Jew" in Christ. Compare Romans 3:31. Every Christian BECOMES a true descendant of Abraham (Galatians 3:29). The promise of the Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The very promise. The twelve tribes worshiped God day and night motivated by the HOPE this promise brought them. [Twelve tribes: This is sometimes used to mean all God's people. The ten northern tribes had vanished into captivity centuries before this. Yet descendants of all the tribes were mixed among those who lived in Christ's time. That is, Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin; John the Baptist of Levi; Joseph and Mary of Judah; Anna of Asher (Luke 2:36). Compare 2 Chronicles 11:14.] Paul shows the strange fact that these Jewish leaders persecute him because he is identified with what forms their deepest and strongest hope!!! Why do you Jews? Agrippa is a Sadducee, and does not believe man will survive death. But Paul speaks to all those present, and is emphasizing the raising of Jesus from the dead. This was the FACT that both Sadducee and Pharisee alike refused to believe. [Paul probably gave more detail than Luke records here. This is the outline of what he said.]

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Acts 26:4-8

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