Another Bullingerite proof text debunked.

Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

That verse is often sited by the Acts 28 dispensationalists (aka Bullingerites).

They say that this proves that Paul was preaching Israel's earthly kingdom/hope and that Paul had NOT yet received the revelation of the mystery and heavenly hope (which they claim Paul got at Acts 28).

However, if you study out those latter chapters of Acts you can see that Paul could very likely be referring to the resurrection of the dead. (that was the position that Stam took)

But I was reading Jeremiah and I noticed that the phrase "hope of Israel" is a reference to CHRIST.

Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Then further verses that support this are these.........

Psalms 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Jeremiah 17:17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

Jeremiah 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

Joel 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Christ is "the hope of Israel"......that of course is compatible with Paul's epistles.....

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

 

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

The Acts 28 dispensational interpretation of Acts 28:20 is a PRIVATE INTERPRETATION (2 Pet. 1:20).

 

--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell