Here is a great quote from one of my favorite Bible scholars Michael Bird from his new book – Introducing Paul: The Man, His Mission and His Message.

“Paul is not given the thirty-nine lashes by his fellow Jews because he asks them to ‘try’ Jesus in the same way one might try a kebab (2 Cor. 11:24).  He is not executed for suggesting that Roman citizens may wish to invite Jesus into their hearts.  No, Paul has the courage and conviction to proclaim that the one who is to come again, the Messiah, is Jesus, who has fulfilled Israel’s hopes by being cursed on a cross and raised from the dead.  Jesus is the deliverer Israel had hoped for and desperately needed (2 Cor. 1:20; Acts 13:32-34; Rom. 11:26)” (pp. 28-29).”

Amen brother.