Paul's Orderly Account

AT the beginning of his gospel, Luke wrote: Luke 1:1-2 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke’s gospel is an orderly progression of Jesus’ life from the prophets through his ascension. Now Luke gives us an orderly account of Paul’s changed life through Jesus’ transforming gospel:
 
Paul’s Early Life as a Jew
 
Acts 26:4-8 “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
 
PAUL wanted all to know he was no enemy of the Jew. He was a Jew, loyal to his people and God’s law. Because of his great devotion to God, he had come to understand God’s resurrection power.
   He was specific with this point because it is the greatest hurdle for many Jews. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus had corrected them with Exodus 3:6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The long-dead patriarchs still lived in heaven. Paul wanted all to know God’s power raised his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, from the dead.
   Jesus is alive. Jesus saves us from death when we believe. This is Paul’s story. He wanted this to be everyone’s story.
   Then Paul testifies once more of God’s grace on his life. He began with the depth of his sin.
 
Zealous Against God
 
Acts 26:9-11 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.”
 
WE could consider the Spirit caused and used Paul’s unjust captivity in Israel to testify of God’s gracious freedom to the nation’s rulers. Paul was speaking to Agrippa and Festus, who were very familiar with deadly force against political and religious rivals. They understood Paul’s great passion to go many a time from one synagogue to another to find Christians to imprison and kill them. What had happened that Paul had become the accused?