Acts 26

October 16, 2022

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Reading along with us in Acts? Here’s today’s reading:

Acts 26 (NIV)

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem...........Continue Reading

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This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. I love that Paul uses his physical experience as an object lesson when he appeals to Agrippa. Just as his eyes were open so his earnest prayer and ministry is that all people’s eyes would be open to the truth of Christ and that Jesus came and died for each of us!
    Again, no one can find guilt with Paul. They know he is innocent but it challenges the way they have always done things and change makes people uncomfortable and they fight against it even when it is obviously the best course of action.

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  4. Paul continues to declare his innocence in terms of crimes done, but also declares his bold proclamation that he is now associated with Jesus. How much better is that explained to someone who is familiar with the Old Testament as well as the life of Jesus. It is also interesting to see how Paul adds certain nuances to the story to appeal to his audience as well as adding things he remembers at this moment but hasn’t before. I like what Jesus says…”It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” This means it’s hard for you to keep working against God and the truth of Christ….and you are harming yourself by doing so. What a message that all of us, believers and unbelievers, need to hear. I am also always impressed when Paul says, who are you Lord. To me, Paul couldn’t help but recognize and affirm who Jesus is because of how Jesus appears to him in glory. I didn’t believe that about you before, but I see it now….which is another truth we will all need to come to…either by faith or sight….and for most…if it is by sight, it will be too late. He then lays out why he is ministering the truth of Jesus to Jew and gentile…and that is the real thing the Jews have a problem with.

    And the engagement at the end is priceless. Paul you’re crazy….well the world would think so, but really whoever doesn’t believe is crazy. Do you really believe you could convert me? Well sure I do, if you are willing to be converted. But the truth is everyone has to. It is good also that both of them affirm Paul’s innocence. If we are persecuted for truth and good…we should expect that. But let us not be persecuted for the things that we do wrong…well then that persecution is deserved….

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  5. Paul testifies before Agrippa and almost converts him.

    I thought it was interesting what Paul relayed that Jesus had spoke to him:
    “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

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