The Promise Giver

<p>The answer to the question: “Is this so?” - is not simply yes or no. Paul does reply succinctly: “while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”” Acts 25:8</p><p>Explain the style and parts of this sermon, the longest single discourse in Acts: Abraham, Joseph, and then Moses with the end challenge. The response is overwhelmingly violent, throwing aside Gamaliel’s previous warning, and sets off a major attempt to annihilate the followers of “this Life”.  It will also have a dramatic effect on Saul and his future.</p><p>So what is it about this defense to the three accusations: “he speaks against the temple and the Torah” that is so volatile? Why is it so offensive?</p><p>First, it is an interesting defense that does not directly answer the accusations, but a retelling of the history of the Jewish people focusing on the Patriarchs, Joseph and the Exodus by the lawgiver.</p><p>Abraham and the patriarchs</p><ol><li>“Our father” what makes up the authentic family: identifies with his hearers</li><li>The focus is on God: he appears (3), speaks (3,6), he moves (4), gives an inheritance (5), promises (5), judges (7), gives a covenant (8), and no mention of his faith, but that he dwells (4), begets and circumcises (8).  The focus is on God’s promise, and the way it will reach fulfillment in a time beyond Abraham.  In other words, the fulfillment of the promise comes with the messianic realization of the covenant!</li></ol><p>The story of Joseph (9-16) we can see how The biblical account points to the future and to the present time:</p><ol><li>Joseph as a type of Jesus</li><li>Rejected by his brothers (because of envy), sold into Egypt, but his fate is reversed by God.  God is with him and frees him from all his afflictions, he finds favor with the king, as becomes ruler over Egypt. In other words, the one rejected by his own people is empowered through God’s intervention and is in a position to save the ones who rejected him.