September 21, 2014
Evening Service

Acts 26

 

This morning we saw Paul stand, and give an account to Felix, the governor of Caesarea.   It was said that Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come.  It said Felix trembled.  This evening we will see Paul speak before King Agrippa.  Chapter 15 contains the explanation by Festus to King Agrippa Paul’s situation.  So we will skip to chapter 26.

 

Act 26:1-32  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:  (2)  I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:  (3)  Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.  (4)  My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;  (5)  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 

·         Paul first appeals to his past life.  We saw this life from chapter 7, where he was consenting to the death of Stephen, to his conversion in chapter 9.  A CHANGED LIFE.  And he says most of these people know that I speak the truth.

(6)  And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 

·         The promise of God was concerning the coming Messiah.  All Israel believed this to be true, and looked always for this Messiah.  God had promised them that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah, be born of a virgin, be born in Bethlehem, suffer, die, and be resurrected.  Paul is saying Jesus is this Messiah.

(7)  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.  (8)  Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 

·         Paul is defending the resurrection.

(9)  I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  (10)  Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.  (11)  And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 

·         Paul is still at Caesarea, but no doubt many of these Jews remember his past life.

·         Then he again tells of his conversion.  As we have said many times, nothing will make a person stop and think any better than a changed life.

(12)  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,  (13)  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.  (14)  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  (15)  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  (16)  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;  (17)  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,  (18)  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  (19)  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  (21)  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.  (22)  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 

(23)  That Christ should suffer,

·         Isa. 53.  This whole chapter speaks of the Christ suffering.

and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead,

·         Psa. 16:10; Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

·         Peter refers to this in his first sermon on the day of Pentecost.

·         Paul refers to this in one of his sermons recorded in Acts 13.

and should shew light unto the people,

·         Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

and to the Gentiles. 

·         Isa. Ofter refers to Gentiles given the light of God.  Isa_9:1-2; compare Mat_4:14-16; Isa_11:10; Isa_42:1, Isa_42:6; Isa_54:3; Isa_60:3, Isa_60:5,Isa_60:11; Isa_61:6; Isa_62:2; Isa_66:12.

(24)  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.  (25)  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.  (26)  For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 

·         Again Paul refers to King Agrippa knowing about these things happening. 

(27)  King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.  (28)  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

·         This is a very sobering statement to me, except when I read of what Paul told the Church at Corinth.

·         1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

(29)  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.  (30)  And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:  (31)  And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.  (32)  Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

·         We can see the hand of God in Paul’s situation.  Agrippa would have set Paul free had he not appealed to Caesar.  But we know Paul must go to Rome, and eventually be killed for his faith in Christ.

 

THIS MORNING FELIX, UPON HEARING PAUL SPEAK, TREMBLED.  AND NOW KING AGRIPPA SAYS, ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN! 

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO LEARN FROM THESE EXAMPLES, THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH, AND GRACE, AND ACCEPTING, AND RECEIVING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.