Lesson 32 Pauls Defense Before King Agrippa Leading

Lesson 32: Paul’s Defense Before King Agrippa & Leading Dignitaries (26: 1 -32)

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study A. Paul greeted King Agrippa as he began his defense (26: 1 -3). 1. As the Lord promised almost 25 years earlier (9: 15), Paul was testifying before a king. 2. Receiving permission to speak, Paul happily began his defense (Gk, apologeomai). 3. Agrippa was an “expert” in the laws, practices and issues of the Jews (26: 3). 4. Paul begged Agrippa to hear “patiently” (compound Greek word: “long” + “temper”).

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B. Paul rehearsed his early life contrasted with his present struggles with the Jews (26: 4 -8). 1. Paul affirmed that he was raised & taught among the Jews and they knew it (26: 4 -5). 2. Paul affirmed that the hope of the resurrection was the reason he was on trial (6 -8).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding A. The promised hope that sustains every Christian is that God raises the dead! 1. “It is appointed for men to die once” (Heb. 9: 27). If that’s all there is, there’s no hope! 2. Christ is “our hope” (1 Tim. 1: 1)! Having been raised from the dead by the power of God (Rom. 1: 4) to live in us (Gal. 2: 20), Christ is “the hope of glory” (Col. 1: 27). 3. As Christ was “the first to rise from the dead” (26: 23), others would, too (1 Cor. 15). 4. “We were saved in this hope” (Rom. 8: 24), that we will be raised from the dead! 5. We have the “hope of eternal life, ” “promised” by God, “who cannot lie” (Titus 1: 2).

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study C. Paul rehearsed his zealous persecution of the church and the Christian way (26: 9 -11). 1. Paul was not predisposed toward Christianity in any way before his conversion! 2. His persecution of the “saints” (i. e. , living disciples of Christ) was notoriously evil! 3. The accusing Jews had forgotten that Paul was once Christianity’s greatest enemy!

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study D. Paul rehearsed his encounter with Jesus and his conversion to Christianity (26: 12 -18). 1. The conversion of Paul is found three times in the book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, 26). 2. When Paul encountered Jesus, he was on his way to persecute the church (26: 12). 3. At noon (22: 6), “a light brighter than the sun” demanded Paul’s attention (26: 13).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding B. Conversion is not a single-act event but a series of steps clearly delineated by God! 1. To be converted, people must “open their eyes” to gospel (26: 18)—by faith (26: 18 b). 2. To be converted, people must “turn from” sin (26: 18)— when they “repent” (26: 20). 3. To be converted, people must “turn to” God (26: 20)—in baptism (3: 19; 11: 21). 4. To stay converted, people must “do works befitting [their] repentance” (26: 20).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding C. Through obedience and conversion to Christ, one obtains all of His blessed promises! 1. “Forgiveness of sins” (26: 18)—the guilt of sins, separating us from God, is removed. 2. “An inheritance” (26: 18)—the promise of eternal life is granted (cf. Eph. 1: 11). 3. “Sanctified” (26: 18)—one is made holy, set apart for service to God (cf. Eph. 5: 25 -26).

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study E. Paul rehearsed his response to the vision and his preaching to the Gentiles (26: 19 -23). 1. Paul was persuaded by the evidence he saw on the road— hoping the king would be. 2. Paul’s preaching included God’s plan of salvation, step-bystep (26: 20). 3. Paul’s preaching was not hostile toward the O. T. but rather built on it (26: 22 -23). 4. Paul’s preaching was merely the work of the Lord through him (26: 23; cf. v. 18).

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study F. Paul’s defense compelled very different responses but a united decision (26: 24 -32). 1. Paul boldly spoke “truth & reason” (26: 25)—words which call for rational response. 2. Festus was unwilling to be convinced: “Paul, you are mad (Gk, mania)!” (26: 24). 3. Agrippa already “knew” (26: 26) and “believed” (26: 27) the content of the message. 4. As with each of his previous judges, King Agrippa and the dignitaries concluded that Paul had done “nothing deserving of death” (26: 31; cf. 23: 9, 29; 24: 22; 25: 11, 25). 5. However, their united (and unavoidable) decision was to send him to Caesar (26: 32).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding D. “Becoming altogether a Christian” requires that one be altogether persuaded! 1. The name “Christian” is found only 3 times in the N. T. –Acts 11: 26; 26: 28; 1 Peter 4: 16. 2. By believing alone, one does not “become a Christian”! Agrippa believed (26: 27). 3. One “becomes a Christian” when he is fully persuaded by the evidence (26: 28), repents (26: 20) and is baptized to become a disciple/Christian (11: 26 + Mt. 28: 20). 4. One who is “altogether a Christian” lives that way every day, even when it’s not easy!

I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study G. Paul’s arrest, his trials and his defense are given considerable space in the book of Acts. 1. This one event (or series of events) opened the door for the gospel throughout Rome. 2. This one event (or series of events) took the gospel to the highest ruler on earth. 3. This one event (or series of events) helped to validate the Christian religion.

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives A. When we have opportunity to defend the faith, let us do so happily and confidently! B. Following one’s heart to do what he thinks is right is a recipe for disaster and death! C. Let us not be disobedient to the revelation of God’s will for our lives! D. Let us help others to open their eyes, turn from sin, turn to God and do faithful works! E. Let us strive to be “altogether Christians” and not merely “close enough” Christians!