All things bear record · Acts

Acts 23

2 witnesses of Christ here.

Resurrection

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. Acts 23:6

Paul frames his trial around the resurrection of the dead. For Paul that hope rests on Jesus having risen first, as he makes explicit later before Agrippa.

AttestedEchoAn echo of Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • interpreted by Acts 26:23 — Paul explains the hope: Christ would be the first to rise from the dead.
  • alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 — Christ the firstfruits; in Him all shall be made alive.

Jesus

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Acts 23:11

After a brutal day, the risen Lord personally stands by Paul in the night and comforts him. He promises Paul will testify of Him in Rome, the heart of the empire.

AttestedExplicitHe appears

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • fulfilled by Acts 28:31 — Paul teaches of the Lord Jesus Christ in Rome.
  • alludes to John 16:33 — Jesus' earlier words: 'be of good cheer; I have overcome the world'.