Paul’s Apologetics (2)
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NASB
Power – In the hands of a true apologist, the Tanakh is dynamite. Paul’s use of dynamin, the Greek noun translated “power” is a nice phonetic reminder of this fact. It helps us understand what “the power of His resurrection” means.
All of the words that are derived from the basic stem dynamai are connected with ability. Power is the capacity to be able. It’s not wishful thinking, hopeful expectation or fervent anticipation. It’s being able to make something happen whether that means something in the physical world or in the inner attitudes or will. This is a word about accomplishing the task.
Let’s apply this to the idea of the resurrection. What is the “power” of the resurrection? Is it not the epitome of God’s control over life and death? Isn’t the resurrection of the Son the ultimate defeat of the enemy? Isn’t the resurrection the first-fruit guarantee that God will bring about the full restoration of the created universe? Doesn’t Paul state that if the Messiah is not raised from the dead, we are the most hopeless of creatures? The power of the resurrection is the ability of God to alter the direction of the universe and bring about total restoration.
Now notice that this dynamin is also something Paul wants to know. “That I may know Him and . . .” he writes. It’s not enough for Paul to simply connect the dots in the Tanakh with the Messiah. He also wants to have external, observable confirmation of the ability of God to restore. The physical resurrection of the Messiah is but one element in this plan. Yes, it is critically important, but Paul’s letter suggests that we too can experience this ability. We can actually see God restoring the world. We are not left with a dry argument about the probability of the resurrection event. That isn’t resurrection power. Resurrection power is the continuous renewal of the world, observed each and every day as we keep connecting the Tanakh with the kingdom of the Messiah. We experience the reality of the resurrection each time we notice that God is actively engaged in delivering the world from darkness. In other words, the power of the resurrection is not limited to a one-time event that occurred in Jerusalem centuries ago. The power of the resurrection, that power that Paul wants to experience, is the ability of God to change things today—and every day hereafter! Paul’s apologetics is not confined to some past historical investigation. Paul’s apologetics is happening now, right in front of each of us, if we care to look.
Topical Index: resurrection, power, dynamin, Philippians 3:10-11
Tikkun Olam – restoration of the world. In Jewish faith, this is not just God’s responsibility, but our responsibility too. Paul knew this. If Paul’s “knowing” Messiah is about evidence clearly seen, how much more his knowing the power of the resurrection through playing an active part in tikkun olam, by living out the commandments of the Torah, every day! It is not just God’s power to change the world, but God’s power to change my world, through me, through you, through all of us. The question is, am I willing to participate?
“We are not left with a dry argument about the probability of the resurrection event. Resurrection power is the continuous renewal of the world, observed each and every day as we keep connecting the Tanakh with the kingdom of the Messiah.”
Yes! AND connecting Messiah with us in our living and not just our intellectual knowing.
“The power of the resurrection, that power that Paul wants to experience, is the ability of God to change things today—and every day hereafter!”
AMEIN!!!!! Preach it, Skip! Experiential evidence! Messiah in us. The hope of glory!
“Paul’s apologetics is happening now, right in front of each of us, if we care to look.”
Not only if we care to “look”, but if we care to be USED, to co-labor WITH Messiah. Him being ALIVE in and through US! Doing those things that change things IN us and doing those things that change things THROUGH us.
DYNAMIN!!!
The Door.
As we read this, we had to pause and absorb the DYNAMITE of each paragraph, sometimes, a single sentence! We substituted “dynamite” for “power” as we read. And stopped, and absorbed, and read. Thank you, Skip, for the special gift you have in expressing these deep realities of the text and those who wrote it. We are blessed to be inspired to DO this! “Resurrection dynamite is the continuous renewal of the world, observed each and every day as we keep connecting the Tanakh with the kingdom of the Messiah.”
Hebrews 6:4-5
Are you one of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age?
Yes… the power of the resurrection is the same as the powers that will fill us at the coming age… yes… the goodness of the word of God is the way that Yeshua has pointed us to go along with Him… resurrection is the event that has torn apart the veil in order to go into the Holy of Holies which is the world to come…