Four Years in Prison

Introduction

There are certain crimes that result can result in a prison sentence. For example, you can go to prison for 4-5 years for any of the following crimes:

Grand theft - you steal something of very high value.

Arson - setting property on fire.

These crimes have something in common - in each of these cases someone is causing harm to someone else.

It is understandable that people that commit these types of crimes are sentenced to time in prison.

Notice that at least in the United States, so far, our justice system does not imprison people for their beliefs.

For example, you can believe that the earth is flat (not round) - and there is no judge in this country that will sentence you to time in prison.

You can believe that you are a bird trapped in a human body - and you cannot be found guilty such that you have to serve time in prison.

In fact, you can share your belief about the earth being flat or that you are a bird trapped in a human body:

You can share what you believe.

You can try to convince others.

You can form an organization with others that share the same beliefs and you will not go to prison.

This was not the case 2,000 years ago - In fact, Paul spent four years in prison.

The jewish leaders accused Paul of committing crimes against the jewish people, disrespecting the temple, and being against their customs - but they could not present any evidence to support their accusations.

In the book of Acts:

Paul is arrested in chapter 21.

From chapters 21 to 26 Paul comes before various judges to defend himself.

None of the judges believe the accusations by the jewish leaders - because they cannot present any evidence.

So Paul, speaks with them and tells them the real reason why he’s in prison does not have anything to do with a crime against jewish or roman law.

King Agrippa comes to one simple conclusion:

Hechos de los Apóstoles 25:18–19 NIV

18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

Why is Paul in prison?

Paul is in prison for one simple reason - Paul believes that Jesus was dead and that now he is alive.

In other words, Paul spends at least four years in prison simply because he believed that Jesus rose from the dead.

What did Paul need to do to get out of prison?

Paul could have been released from prison very simply:

He could have spoken to the jewish leaders and said - I made a mistake. I no longer believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

He could have said - I was deceived, you guys are right - Jesus did not rise from the dead. His disciples probably stole his body from the tomb.

Paul had a transforming encounter with the resurrected Christ

But why was Paul not willing to deny the fact that Jesus rose from the dead?

Remember that before Paul was a Christian he persecuted Christians, he put them in prison, he wanted to destroy Christianity.

Then one day, when he was on his way to Damascus, he encountered the risen Christ.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 26:14 NIV

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Paul could no longer deny that Jesus was alive - Jesus knew his name, he confronted Paul with his sin - persecuting Christian believers, and all of a sudden Paul’s heart was transformed.

From that moment on, Paul would now be a servant and witness for the resurrected Christ.

Hechos de los Apóstoles 26:16 NIV

16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

Paul is a living example that real, authentic, genuine belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes one’s life.

You no longer live against Jesus and his word.

You no longer live to satisfy your own goals and desires.

Your sins against God are forgiven and you are given a purpose in life.

…and all of this was worth going to prison.

Paul would later go on to say:

Gálatas 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul’s life was forever transformed by encountering the resurrected Christ - and he knew that the risen Christ lived in him empowering him to live the Christian life until his dying breath.