How does Acts 26:8 challenge our faith in God's power today? Setting the Scene • Paul stands before King Agrippa and says, “Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8). • He is defending the literal resurrection of Jesus—an event he witnessed (Acts 26:12-15). • His question assumes that, for anyone who truly knows the God of Scripture, resurrection should not be surprising at all. The Heart of Paul’s Challenge • Paul confronts the hidden unbelief that quietly limits what we think God can do. • The wording “Why would any of you consider it incredible…?” exposes a gap between what we profess (“God is almighty”) and what we actually expect. • If God created life from dust (Genesis 2:7) and hung the stars (Isaiah 40:26), raising the dead is consistent with His character and power. What Our Skepticism Reveals • We trust God for eternity yet doubt His intervention in the moment. • We speak of miracles in the past but question their place in the present. • We reduce “the God who gives life to the dead” (Romans 4:17) to a God who merely maintains the status quo. Present-Day Applications • Physical Resurrection Hope – The future bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) is not symbolic; it is a concrete promise secured by Christ’s empty tomb. – This hope fuels courage in suffering and perseverance in holiness (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Power for Daily Living – “The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe… He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). – That same power empowers victory over sin, bold witness, and steadfast faith. • Expectant Prayer – Jeremiah 32:27: “I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” – Luke 1:37: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Resurrection power invites daring prayers that align with God’s will and glory. Strengthening Faith in God’s Power • Anchor every doubt to Scripture’s record of God’s acts—creation, Red Sea, resurrection. • Recall personal testimonies of God’s intervention; they echo Paul’s courtroom defense. • Gather with believers who speak often of God’s mighty works (Psalm 145:4-6). • Meditate on Romans 8:11: “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” Key Takeaways • Acts 26:8 rebukes small expectations: if God can raise the dead, no promise is beyond fulfillment. • Resurrection is not merely past history or future hope; it is present power. • Genuine faith refuses to label any God-given promise “incredible.” |
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