The Acts of the Apostles Acts 26 Pauls

The Acts of the Apostles Acts 26 – Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa in Caesarea Sunday – October 20, 2019 1

Paul’s work. 26: 18 1. To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. (Ephesians 5: 8) 2. That they may receive remission of sins. 3. That they may receive an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 20: 32) 2

NOTE: Since this was the voice of God through Jesus, Paul tells Agrippa that he could in no way be disobedient to the voice (26: 19). � Rather than disobey, Paul began to preach the gospel of Jesus to those in Damascus, Arabia and then down to Jerusalem and throughout Judea (26: 20) � The subject of Paul’s message was Jesus and that men should “repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance” (26: 20; cf. Preaching of John the Baptist. Matthew 3: 8). 3

� Such preaching of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection along with repentance and good works caused Paul to be arrested and placed in bonds (26: 21). � Paul preached the very thing the Mosaic Law and the Prophets pointed to; Christ’s suffering, death, burial and resurrection. � “Firstfruits” 1 Corinthians 15: 23; Luke 7: 11 ff � The death of Jesus was to benefit both Jew and Gentile (26: 23). cf. Luke 24: 44 ff 4

Festus responds to Paul’s defense in open ignorance (26: 24): � manoúmai – “To be mad, to rave, used intrans. of persons who speak and act in such a way that they appear to others as being out of their mind or senses (John 10: 20; Acts 12: 15; 26: 24, 25; 1 Cor 14: 23; Sept. : Jer 36: 26 ). This is the word from which the Eng. ‘maniac’ is derived. ” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary) � Perhaps this was the first time Festus had heard of such things regarding Jesus and the resurrection of the dead? 5

Paul responds to Festus. “most excellent Festus” (26: 25). � To the contrary, Paul was not “mad” but speaking only the facts. � Paul refers to his words as “truth and soberness” (26: 25 b). 6

Paul personally addresses King Agrippa. � Challenges him to either accept the words about Jesus or reject them (26: 27 -29; cf. Acts 26: 2 -3) ◦ The time has come to see where Agrippa’s heart lies. � Paul affirms to Agrippa his faith in the writings of the prophets regarding the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead (26: 27). � It is said that Agrippa was a Jew (in reality he was an Edomite) whose father observed the Law of Moses meticulously. Agrippa himself attempted to follow the Mosaic Law. 7

Agrippa responds. “With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian” (26: 28). � The word “persuasion” is “to persuade unto, i. e. move or induce one by persuasion to do something” (Thayer). � Paul’s reply to King Agrippa is that whether it takes little or much persuading he would like to see men become as he is (a persuaded person; a Christian) except for the chains that were attached to him (26: 29). 8