paul before festus and agrippa paul’s fifth defense acts ... · b. agrippa was presiding over...

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Paul Before Festus and Agrippa

Paul’s Fifth Defense

Acts 26:1-32




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Paul Before Festus and Agrippa

Paul’s Fifth Defense Text: Acts 26:1-32, 1. 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. 6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 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? 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.




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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. 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 showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, 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:




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23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 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. 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. 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. Commentary: Acts 26:1, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I. Agrippa told Paul he was now given permission to speak for himself.

A. It was by courtesy of Festus that Agrippa was permitted to open the hearing.




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B. Agrippa was presiding over this hearing. II. Paul stretched out his hand in an oratorical manner to gain attention and began his defense. III. Festus’ purpose in this hearing before Agrippa was to enlist Agrippa’s help in formulating charges to be presented to Caesar.

A. This was a hearing, not a trial.

B. Both Jesus and Paul stood before procurators (Pilate-Felix, Festus) and kings (Herod – Agrippa).

Acts 26:2, 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: I. Paul respectfully addressed Agrippa and said he was happy to have the occasion to make his defense covering all the charges made against him by certain Jews. Acts 26:3, 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. I. Paul was especially happy to make his defense before Agrippa because he was an expert in all Jewish customs and questions.

A. Paul also used this occasion as an opportunity to seek Agrippa’s convertion.

II. Paul asked Agrippa to listen to his defense patiently and attentively.

A. Paul made no promise to keep his remarks brief.




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B. Paul’s remarks as given in this passage are certainly a summary, a major condensation of what was actually said.

Acts 26:4, My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; I. Paul said his life was an “open book” . . .

A. from his youth up.

1. Barnes, “Paul may have been distinguished in the school of Gamaliel for zeal in the Jewish religion.”

2. This may have been the reason he was commissioned to

persecute Christians (Acts 9:1).

3. Some of his previous schoolmates may now be among his most vicious accusers.

B. which was from the beginning

1. among his own nation

2. and at Jerusalem.

II. All the Jews well know these facts. Acts 26:5, Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. I. These Jews know me from my youth, Paul said, and can testify, it they are willing, that A. after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.




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B. Do you believe the Jews would say anything to help Paul?

C. Paul had been charged with disrespecting the Law of Moses, the Jewish Law.

1. Paul emphatically showed that this charge was false.

Acts 26:6, And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: I. Paul stated he was in court for the hope of the promise of God unto the Jewish ancestors.

A. The promise refers to the Messiah and his resurrection.

1. Paul had been reared as a Jewish orthodox zealot, part of the strictest sect of Judaism.

2. Jews everywhere knew this to be true.

B. To Pharisees the promised Messiah was directly connected with

the Pharisaical belief in the resurrection.

1. Romans 1:4, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

2. Paul’s lifestyle had been consistent with the beliefs and

practices of the Pharisees.

C. By showing the relationship between Christ and the Pharisaical belief in the resurrection, Paul hoped to cultivate the good will of those who believed in the resurrection.




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Acts 26:7, 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. I. The twelve tribes serve God night and day in order to attain unto this promise.

A. Many were lost in the Assyrian captivity from the ten tribes, but some remained.

1. Luke 2:36, And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the

daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

2. This phrase, the twelve tribes, indicates that the first

century Jews and Paul thought of themselves as the original people of God.

II. It is for this hope, reason that I am accused by Jews, O king Agrippa!

A. This hope was for the resurrection of the dead as proved by the resurrection of Christ.

B. The hope of Israel, Paul asserted, could be achieved only

through Christ and his resurrection from the dead. Acts 26:8, Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I. Why does it seem incredible with you that God raises the dead, O king?

A. The Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection were evidently Paul’s chief accusers.




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1. The Sadducees did not believe in any resurrection at all.

2. Christ’s resurrection was proof that the Sadducees had

murdered the Son of God.

B. Festus regarded the resurrection as something incredible.

C. Does it seem incredible to people of our age that there will be a resurrection at the last day? . . . that Jesus arose from the dead?

D. Point emphasized that the resurrection teaching was an integral

part of historic Judaism.

1. Paul was baffled that the Jews opposed him when the essentials of what he taught corresponded with historic Judaism.

2. Paul contended that the general resurrection and the

resurrection of Christ stand or fall together. Acts 26:9, I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. I. Before his conversion Paul truly believed he ought to do many things against Jesus of Nazareth.

A. Perhaps Paul and Agrippa had common ground in the belief in the resurrection.

B. Paul continued to try to expand the common ground by saying

that both he and Agrippa’s family had persecuted Jesus and his Way.




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C. Paul killed Christians with a clear conscience. However, this did not make his terrible evils right. Conscience is not a safe guide.

1. Did Paul’s kicking against the goads in some way indicate

that his conscience was troubling him during the time he was persecuting disciples? McGarvey.

2. Acts 4:12, 17, 30, Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

3. Acts 5:40, 41, And to him they agreed: and when they had

called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

4. Acts 8:1, And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at

that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

5. Acts 9:1, 2, And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and

slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.




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6. Acts 22:4, 5, And I persecuted this way unto the death,

binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

7. 1 Corinthians 12:3, Wherefore I give you to understand,

that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Acts 26:10, 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. I. Paul confessed that he:

A. persecuted Christ at Jerusalem.

B. put many of the saints in prison by authority of the chief priests.

C. gave his vote against Christians when they were executed.

1. Many disciples wee killed through Paul’s efforts.

2. Paul now knew these disciples were truly saints.

3. “Vote” denotes more than giving his consent. It literally means, “I cast down my pebble.”

4. Pebbles were cast into urns, white pebbles for acquittal

and black pebbles for conviction.




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5. Paul may have been a married rabbi before his conversion

and a member of the Sanhedrin.

6. Philippians 3:4-8, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee: Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

7. Acts 7:58, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him;

and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

8. Acts 8:1, And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at

that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 26:11, 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. I. Paul further confessed he:

A. punished saints in all the synagogues.




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B. strove to make the disciples blaspheme.

1. Paul evidently tortured Christians in order to get the disciples to sin.

C. persecuted them in other cities because he hated Christians so

much.

1. Cities includes more than just Damascus.

2. The New Testament history is so brief. How we would like to know more about everything.

Acts 26:12-16, Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 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. 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. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 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; I. Paul now gives his testimony regarding his Damascus road experience, proof of his divine call to Christian service.

A. He was journeying under the authority and commission of the chief priests.

B. The crucial time was midday.




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C. A light from heaven brighter than the sun shone around Paul and those who traveled with Paul.*

D. All in the group fell to the ground.*

E. Paul heard a voice speaking in (Aramaic) Hebrew saying,

Note: Asterisks (*) mark facts not found in Acts 9 or 22, the other two places Paul’s Damascus Road experiences are delineated.

1. Saul, Saul, . . .

a. Jeremiah 1:7, 8, But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

b. Ezekiel 2:1-3, And he said unto me, Son of man,

stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me; they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.

2. Why are you persecuting me?

3. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.*

a. A goad was a sharp stick used to prod animals.




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b. For an animal to kick against a goad would only hurt the animal more.

c. It was hard and hurtful for Paul to fight Christ.

F. Paul replied, “Who are you Lord?”

G. The reply was, “I am Jesus whom you persecute.”

1. “Arise, stand up, for I have appeared to you . . .

2. to appoint you a minister and a witness

3. of what you have seen and of what I will appear unto

you.”

a. Acts 18:9, Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

b. Acts 22:17, And it came to pass, that, when I was

come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

c. Acts 23:11, And the night following the Lord stood

by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

d. Isaiah 42:1-7, Behold my servant, whom I uphold;

mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall




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he not quench; he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Acts 26:17, Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, I. Jesus promised Paul that, although he would be severely persecuted and caused to suffer, he would deliver Paul from the Jewish people and the Gentiles to whom he was being sent.

A. Paul was constantly in danger from both Jews and Gentiles.

B. This assurance surely undergirded Paul and enabled him to manifest the courage for which he is famous.

II. It is not possible to exaggerate the importance in the life of Paul of the Damascus Road experience.

A. Ever after Paul was a changed man.

B. Romans 13:12, The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.




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C. 2 Corinthians 4:6, For God, who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

D. Ephesians 5:8-14, For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are

ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Acts 26:18, 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. I. Paul’s duties defined:

A. Open their eyes.

B. That they may:

1. turn from darkness to light.

2. turn from the power of Satan unto God.

3. receive remission of sins.




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4. receive an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ.

a. Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

b. 1 Corinthians 1:2, Unto the church of God which is

at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

c. 1 Corinthians 6:11, And such were some of you:

but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

II. Without these blessings nothing else matters, not:

A. Wealth.

B. Success.

C. Fame.

D. Nothing. Acts 26:19, 20, Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then




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to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. I. Paul told Agrippa that he obeyed the heavenly vision, (what else could he do?), and so he:

A. preached to:

1. Damascus first.

a. First may mean the first thing I wish to mention.

b. Galatians 1:22, And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:

c. Acts 9:20-25, And straightway he preached Christ

in the synagogues that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

d. Acts 9:28, 29, And he was with them coming in

and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.




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e. Three missionary journeys to the Gentiles.

2. Jerusalem.

3. throughout all the country of Judaea.

4. Gentiles.

B. That they should:

1. repent.

a. Acts 3:19, Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

b. 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Who shall be punished with

everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

2. turn to God.

3. do works worthy of repentance.

a. Good speed, “Live as men who have repented

should live.

b. Root via Coffman observed that “the dissolute Agrippa needed to be told this.”

c. Romans 1:5, By whom we have received grace and

apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:




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Acts 26:21, For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. I. This was the reason the Jews seized me in the temple and assayed to kill me.

A. Paul’s divine mission was the reason he was arrested in Jerusalem.

B. Because the Jews had tried to kill him, he was kept in prison

until this time.

1. Acts 21:31, And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

Acts 26:22, 23, 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: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. I. God helped Paul. II. This enabled Paul to escape death and to continue to:

A. testify both to small and great.

B. preach exactly what the prophets and Moses said would come; that is,

1. Christ must suffer and

2. by the resurrection of the dead




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3. proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

C. Scriptures:

1. Acts 23:11, And the night following the Lord stood by

him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

2. Philippians 4:10-19, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that

now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

3. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Blessed be God, even the Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God




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of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we have the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

4. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, For which cause we faint not; but

though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

D. Paul preached Christ to all races and social statuses without

partiality.




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1. Isaiah 42:6, 7, I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

2. Isaiah 49:6, 7, And he said, It is a light thing that thou

shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

3. Luke 24:27, 44, And beginning at Moses and all the

prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

4. 1 Corinthians 15:20, But now is Christ risen from the

dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

5. Colossians 1:18, And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.




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Acts 26:24, And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. I. As pagan Festus heard of the resurrection, he cried out with a loud voice,

A. Paul, you are crazy!

1. Festus had heard enough.

2. All this talk about a supernatural appearance of diety and the resurrection of the dead was beyond Festus.

B. Your much learning is driving you crazy, mad.

1. Festus recognized Paul as a very learned man.

2. Acts 17:32, And when they heard of the resurrection of the

dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

II. What Paul said sailed right over Festus’ head, but it hit Agrippa and Bernice squarely in their faces. Acts 26:25, But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. I. Paul responded to Festus’ charge by saying,

A. “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus,” a true and respectful answer.

1. Paul responded respectfully to this rude cruel charge.




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2. Paul was an absolute master of keeping his “cool” under pressure!

B. “I speak words of truth and soberness.”

1. Paul is a wonderful example for today’s disciples.

Acts 26:26, 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. I. Paul further said,

A. While the things may be unfamiliar to you, Governor Festus,

B. King Agrippa knows about all of these things of which I speak.

C. These things of which Paul was speaking were not done in a corner, privately, in secret.

Acts 26:27, King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. I. Paul addressed Agrippa directly:

A. Do you believe the prophets?

B. I know you believe. II. Would Festus think Agrippa was also mad, crazy because he believed the prophets?

A. King Agrippa was in a bind! Would Agrippa admit before the king that he believed a “crazy man.”




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B. The gospel involved rulers from the earliest days of the life of Christ.

1. Luke 1:5, There was in the days of Herod, the king of

Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

2. Luke 2:1-3, And it came to pass in those days, that there

went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

3. Acts 12:1, Now about that time Herod the king stretched

forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

4. Acts 18:2, 12, And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

5. Acts 25:1, Now when Festus was come into the province,

after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem. Acts 26:28, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. I. Agrippa responded, “With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.”




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A. This statement is difficult to translate as evidenced by the varying renderings found in different translations.

B. The Authorized Verion and the Douay Version appear to agree

in regard to the meaning of this verse.

C. Douay Version, “In a short while, thou wouldest persuade me to become a Christian.”

II. Paul’s reply to Agrippa agrees with this translation. Acts 26:29, 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. I. Paul answered Agrippa:

A. “I would to God, whether with little or much persuasion, that all who hear me this day would become as I am,

B. except for these bonds.”

II. Paul was indeed trying to persuade all his hearers to become devoted Christians. Acts 26:30, And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: I. Agrippa, Festus and Bernice and all that were present with them stood up. II. Court was adjourned! Acts 26:31, 32, And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, this man doeth nothing worthy of death or of




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bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. I. When King Agrippa, Festus and Bernice had left the court room, they spoke with each other about what they had heard. II. Their conclusion: Paul might have been set at liberty if he had not appealed to Caesar.

A. Paul had made five defenses.

B. The verdict was in every case: Innocent!

C. The fact that Paul might have been set at liberty doesn’t mean he would have been set free.

III. An appeal to Caesar could not be reversed; in fact, Paul may not have wanted to drop his appeal to Caesar knowing what had happened to him this time. IV. Paul, it was agreed, had done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. V. For this favorable verdict, God may well have providentially blessed Agrippa who was confirmed by Rome following the Jewish Wars of 66-70 A.D. He lived until 100A.D. VI. What happened to those who failed to give Paul justice? (Coffman)

A. Ananias was out of office within two years and murdered by his own people within two years.

B. Felix was recalled and died in the eruption at Mount Vesuvius

in 79 A.D.

C. Drusilla and her son died in the same eruption.




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D. Bernice fell into disgrace in Rome.

E. Festus died two years after failing to release Paul.

F. The Sanhedrin was out of business, Jerusalem and the temple

destroyed in A.D. 70.

G. Nero died a wretched death in disgrace.

H. Jesus promised that God’s elect would be avenged! Luke 18:7. VII. Paul made five defenses, was found innocent all five times, but remained in prison nonetheless.




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Questions

Acts 26:1-32 1. What was the purpose of Festus’ consulting Agrippa about Paul’s case? _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Why was Paul especially pleased to make his defense before King Agrippa? __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Paul asked Agrippa to listen to his remarks ______________ and _________________. What is contained in the Bible is most certainly a _________________, not a word for word verbatim transcription. 4. Paul said his ____________________ was an “________________ _________________” from his ________________ up among his own ________________ and at _______________. All the ______________ knew what his life had been through all the years. 5. Paul had lived according to the tenents of the ___________________ ______________ of the Jewish ______________ as a ______________. 6. Paul affirmed he was imprisoned for the ________________ of the ________________ of ________________ unto the ________________ ______________. What was he talking about? ____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What relationship was there between Pharisaical beliefs and Paul’s beliefs. ____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Did the twelve tribes still exist in Paul’s day or had ten of them been lost as a result of the Asyrian captivity? __________________ Explain. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Why was Paul accused by the Jews? Give an in depth response. ____ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Why does it appear to some that it is incredible that God raises the dead? _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. What had Paul done to persecute Christians before his conversion? _ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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12. What did Paul confess? ___________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. What happened on the Damascus Road? Itemize the events. ______ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. What duties did Jesus give Paul? ____________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Paul said he obeyed the heavenly vision. What did he do in obedience to the heavenly vision? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. How can we tell that a person has truly repented? _______________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. Paul testified to the ________________ and ________________ that ______________ ______________ and by the ______________ of the




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______________ brought ______________ to the ______________ and to the ______________. 18. Why did Festus exclaim that Paul was crazy? What was Paul’s response to this charge? ______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. Contrast Agrippa’s response to Paul’s speech with Festus’ response? ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. What was the verdict given by Agrippa? ______________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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