Paul Sustained by the Hope

A few illustrations of the sustaining power of this hope, in this connection, must suffice. When Paul was arraigned before Felix, and permitted to speak for himself, he said, “After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets; and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” ^{4Acts 24:14, 15.}GSAM 24.1

In his able plea when brought before Agrippa, Paul said, “Now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” ^{5Acts 26:6-8.} When at last he was in Rome to appear before Caesar, he said to the Jews, “For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” ^{6Acts 28:20.}GSAM 24.2

Paul spoke freely of that hope in his letter to Titus: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” ^{7Titus 2:11-13.}GSAM 24.3