What would it take to convince a first-century Jewish religious leader that a crucified man had risen from the dead? The Apostle Paul's dramatic transformation from Christianity's fiercest opponent to its most influential advocate provides a powerful window into the historical reality of the resurrection.

In this Easter message examining Acts 13, we encounter Paul's first recorded sermon—a message dominated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Paul, this wasn't a metaphorical concept or spiritual allegory; it was "a hard, bare, terribly inconvenient, paradigm-shifting, impossible to dismiss fact" that had completely redirected his life's purpose.

The sermon reveals three crucial dimensions of resurrection faith that remain relevant today. First, the resurrection stands as historical fact, supported by multiple eyewitness accounts of people who saw, touched, and spoke with the risen Jesus. Paul himself, once a skeptic, encountered the resurrected Christ in a way he could neither deny nor explain away.

Second, the resurrection fulfilled specific prophetic promises found in the Hebrew Scriptures centuries earlier. These fulfilled prophecies provided the theological framework for understanding this unprecedented event within Jewish tradition, demonstrating that Jesus' resurrection wasn't just surprising—it was the culmination of God's ancient plan.

Finally, the resurrection secures our future and freedom. Using a powerful metaphor, Paul describes the resurrection as "the greatest receipt in the history of the world," proving that our sins have been fully paid for through Christ's sacrifice. This assurance transforms how we live today and gives concrete hope for eternal life beyond the grave, including the promise of resurrection bodies and reunion with loved ones.

Whether you're a committed believer or a thoughtful skeptic, this exploration of resurrection faith challenges you to consider the evidence and implications of Christianity's central claim. What would change in your life if you truly believed that Jesus conquered death and offers eternal life as a free gift to all who trust in him?

Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC1958FuG_U