Acts 26:8

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Acts 26:8 (KJV)

Context

Acts 26 records the Apostle Paul’s defense before King Agrippa and other dignitaries. Paul had been arrested for preaching the Gospel and was given the opportunity to speak in his own defense. At this point, he is recounting his conversion story and explaining his mission to spread the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. King Agrippa was familiar with Jewish customs and beliefs, which is why Paul references the resurrection of the dead.

Meaning

Paul’s question challenges the notion that it should be considered incredible for God to raise the dead. The Greek word translated “incredible” (apistos) conveys the idea of something “unbelievable” or “not worthy of belief.” Paul’s question implies that it is unreasonable to consider the resurrection impossible for God, who is omnipotent. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power over death.

The concept of resurrection was not foreign to Jewish belief. The Old Testament contains references to the resurrection, and Jewish religious sects such as the Pharisees believed in it. Paul, being a Pharisee himself prior to his conversion, was well-acquainted with the Jewish understanding of resurrection. Paul’s question is not merely philosophical but is rooted in the reality of Christ’s resurrection, which Paul personally witnessed on the road to Damascus.

Biblical connections

Paul’s statement about the resurrection of the dead serves as a foundational belief for his mission. The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirmed his claims of being the Messiah and the Son of God. It also provided hope for believers in the future resurrection of all people, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. This verse is part of Paul’s larger argument that his preaching of the resurrection is consistent with the hope of Israel, as he later states in Acts 26:6-7.

Application

This verse challenges us to consider the incredible power of God in our own lives. It reminds us that nothing is impossible for Him, including the resurrection from the dead. It encourages us to trust in God’s power and to have faith in His promises. It challenges any tendency to limit God’s power by human reasoning. For believers, this verse encourages a firm conviction in the resurrection, both as a past event and as a future hope. In practical terms, Christians are called to live in the light of the resurrection, demonstrating its reality through hope and transformed lives.

Reflection

The verse also serves as an apologetic, inviting skeptics to reconsider their assumptions about what God can do. Faith in God’s power should make the resurrection credible, not incredible. This calls for a faith that embraces the miraculous, grounded in the character of God and the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection.