What Old Testament teachings support Paul's claim about the resurrection in Acts 23:6? Paul’s Declaration in Context • Acts 23:6—“Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” • Paul roots his defense in the Hebrew Scriptures; every claim he makes about resurrection can be traced back to the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. Resurrection Hinted in the Torah • Exodus 3:6; 3:15–16—God identifies Himself as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” speaking in the present tense long after their deaths. Jesus later explains (Matthew 22:32) that this affirms they still live to God, anchoring resurrection hope even in the Pentateuch. • Genesis 22:5, 8—Abraham tells his servants, “We will worship and then we will return to you.” Hebrews 11:19 notes Abraham “considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead,” revealing resurrection faith at the very foundation of the covenant people. Resurrection Witnessed in Historical Narratives • 1 Kings 17:22—“The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.” • 2 Kings 4:34–35—Elisha stretches himself over the Shunammite’s son, “and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.” • 2 Kings 13:21—A dead man touches Elisha’s bones and “revived and stood up.” These accounts demonstrate God’s power over death inside Israel’s story, reinforcing confidence that He can and will raise the righteous in the future. Resurrection in the Poetic Writings • Job 19:25–27—“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” • Psalm 16:10—“For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see decay.” Peter and Paul both cite this psalm as prophetic of resurrection (Acts 2:25–32; 13:34–37). • Psalm 17:15—“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.” • Psalm 49:15—“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me.” These songs shaped Israel’s worship around confident expectation that death is not the last word. Resurrection Proclaimed by the Prophets • Isaiah 25:8—“He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces.” • Isaiah 26:19—“Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and shout for joy, you who dwell in the dust!” • Ezekiel 37:12–14—“I will open your graves and bring you up from them, My people… I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live.” • Hosea 13:14—“I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death. O death, where are your plagues?” • Daniel 12:2—“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” These prophetic passages move from poetic hope to explicit promise, giving Paul the textual authority to assert resurrection as central to Israel’s eschatology. Summary Connections • Paul, a Pharisee steeped in Scripture, stands firmly on a chain of Old Testament revelations—patriarchal faith, recorded resurrections, psalms of deliverance, and prophetic promises. • His proclamation in Acts 23:6 is not a theological innovation but the culmination of God’s unfolding plan: the Lord who breathes life into dust will one day raise all who belong to Him. |
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