Ghost (Acts 10:44).  With chapter 13, Paul's ministry commences, and Acts

13:26-37 follows much the same line of witness we have already cited from

Acts 2, quoting the Psalm, and stressing that, unlike David, the Lord saw no

corruption.  If the testimony of Acts 2 links the Holy Spirit of Pentecost

with the historic fact of the resurrection, the thirteenth chapter equally

links the fact of resurrection with the fundamental doctrine of our

salvation, justification by faith (Acts 13:39).  Acts 17:2,3 gives us a

specimen of the kind of preaching that characterized Paul's ministry during

the Acts:

'And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days

reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that

Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and

that this Jesus, Whom I preach unto you, is Christ' (Acts 17:2,3).

Not only in the synagogue, but at Athens among philosophers and

'He seemeth (said they) to be a setter forth of strange gods: because

he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection' (Acts 17:18).

Those critics who complain that in his address on Mars' Hill Paul

seemed to avoid the specific doctrine of the gospel, should remember this

testimony, that he had 'preached Jesus and the resurrection' persistently.

On Mars' Hill he was addressing a council that had the power of life and

death, yet even then the apostle led up to the resurrection:

'He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from

the dead.  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some

mocked' (Acts 17:31,32).

The remaining testimony of the Acts to the resurrection is found in the

witness of Paul before his judges:

'Of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question'

(Acts 23:6).

'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' (Acts

'Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you

this day' (Acts 24:21).

'The accusers ... had certain questions against him of their own

superstition, and of One Jesus, which was dead, Whom Paul affirmed to

be alive' (Acts 25:18,19).

'And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God

unto our fathers ... Why should it be thought a thing incredible with

you, that God should raise the dead?' (Acts 26:6-8).

'I continue unto this day ... saying ... that Christ should suffer, and

that He should be the first that should rise from the dead' (Acts