Thoughts on the book of Acts (178) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 24:15-21

Thoughts on the book of Acts (178)
In his defence before the governor, Paul referred to his exclamation before the sanhedrin in Jerusalem. He spoke anew of the resurrection of both believers and unbelievers. And he again formulated this conviction so generally that even the Pharisees agreed with it. The apostle deal with the doctrine of the resurrection in his epistles (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10;1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Paul's belief in the resurrection is not without its effects: he strives to lead his life before God and men with a clear conscience. And the motives for his visit in Jerusalem are also honourable.
The third accusation, that Paul had desecrated the temple could be refuted equally easily: the Jews from Asia who had raised this reproach falsely had not appeared as witnesses. The only point of dispute remaining was thus: whether belief in the resurrection was punishable or not.
(to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: Ezekiel ch. 28