When the Gospel Sounds Incredible

Reflection

Recently I watched a video of someone asking a pastor questions about Christianity. At first, it appeared he sincerely wanted answers, but as the conversation continued, it became clear that he was more interested in arguing than understanding. Every answer was met with another objection. Before long, he began sharing his own beliefs about God, creation, and spirituality. Although many of his ideas had no foundation in Scripture, he seemed completely convinced they were true.

Many people are willing to believe almost anything except the simple truth of the gospel.

What struck me most was not that he had questions. There is nothing wrong with asking honest questions. It was that the simple message of the gospel seemed ridiculous to him. No matter how clearly it was explained, he had already decided what he wanted to believe.

As I read Paul's defense before Festus, that conversation came back to my mind. Paul wasn't presenting a complicated philosophy or introducing a new religion. He simply declared the gospel. Christ suffered for our sins. He rose from the dead. He became the firstfruits of the resurrection and proclaimed light to both the Jews and the Gentiles. That was the message.

Yet before Paul could finish, Festus interrupted him: "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." To Festus, the resurrection sounded impossible.

An Incredible Truth

What I find interesting is that Paul had already asked a question earlier in this chapter that still speaks to us today: "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" (Acts 26:8). That is a question every generation must answer.

Festus lived in the Roman world, a culture filled with stories of gods, temples, miracles, and supernatural events. Yet when Paul proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he dismissed it as madness. Isn't that much like our world today? Many people are willing to believe almost anything except the simple truth of the gospel. They embrace every kind of spirituality, every new philosophy, and every explanation that leaves God out, yet they struggle to believe that the Creator who gave life could also raise His Son from the dead.

The Foundation of Our Hope

The resurrection is not an added detail to the gospel. It is its very foundation. Without the resurrection, there is no victory over sin, no hope beyond the grave, and no promise of eternal life. Because Jesus lives, those who trust in Him have the sure hope that death will not have the final word.

Paul understood that many would reject this message. Even so, he never changed it. He did not soften the truth to make it more acceptable, nor did he replace it with something easier to believe. He faithfully proclaimed Christ because he knew the power was not found in his ability to persuade but in the gospel itself. That encourages me.

Faithful Proclamation

There will always be people who think our faith is foolish. Some will dismiss the resurrection as nothing more than a story. Others will never move beyond their own ideas long enough to consider God's truth. Our responsibility is not to make the gospel more believable by changing it. Our responsibility is to faithfully proclaim the same risen Savior that Paul proclaimed.

The wonderful news is that the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. The same Christ who suffered, died, and rose again is still calling people out of darkness and into His marvelous light. He remains the hope of every Jew and every Gentile, of every nation, and of every person who will believe.

The world may call the gospel foolish, but the empty tomb tells a different story.
Jesus is alive, and because He lives, our hope is secure.

Before You Go

As you go through this week, do not be discouraged if others question your faith or refuse to believe the message of Christ. Remember that Paul faced the very same response, yet he continued to proclaim the risen Savior without hesitation.

The resurrection is not merely a doctrine we believe. It is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our future, and the light that still shines into a world that desperately needs Jesus.