The Acts of The Apostles

Acts was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Chapter Twenty Six
(26:1-32)

Vs. 1-11

Festus winds up his introductory speech addressing King Agrippa, who then turns the meeting over to Paul. Paul gets to fulfill the Lord's commission to him in (Acts 9:15), "before kings."

Paul is glad to have the opportunity to defend himself. He throws a compliment towards Agrippa. He then gives his testimony of what kind of Jew he was before his conversion. Paul's attitude toward the crowd is that he is telling them nothing new. The audience is acquainted with scripture (vss. 26,27; Acts 24:22). The gospel was well known.

The Jews had pretended they didn't know Paul, but he states in (vs. 5), "which knew me." He then claims that the reason he stands to be judged is that he is a believer and a contender for the "hope of the promise" which is the Resurrection of Israel, nationally: (Eze. 37:12; Isa. 26:18-21; Ps. 50:2-4), "What's so incredible about that?"

In (vs. 8) Paul makes the message, personally applicable to Agrippa. "Why should it be...incredible with you?" (Acts 24:16). Paul-is making the message personal. (Vs. 8 - "you" and vs. 9 - "myself".) A good preacher should always draw a clear distinction between a lost man and a saved man, and make it just as personal as he can.

Paul continues his testimony... "received authority from the chief priests"...they knew who he was! (Acts 26:5; 22:4)

Vs. 11-24

Paul goes through his conversion experience again. The light which he saw (Acts 9:3) was brighter than the sun at midday (Acts 22:11). Jesus then spoke to Paul in Hebrew (Acts 9:5,6; Rev. 19:3,4).

(Vs. 16) is not recorded in chapter 9 as a whole. Much of the information of chapter 26 is revealed to Paul through Ananias (Acts 9:15-20).

Vs. 17

Paul was delivered but not without personal difficulty (2 Cor. 11:23-27).

"People" - Jews

Paul's ministry is to accomplish five things:

[1]. To open the eyes of lost men - (2 Cor. 4:1-4)

[2]. To turn them from darkness to light - (Jn. 1:9; Ps. 119:105; Jn. 3:19,20)

[3]. To turn men from the power of the devil to the power of God.

The condition of the lost man in the devil's grasp is without:

1. •without hope
   

2. •without strength
   

3. •without excuse
   

4. •without God - (Rom. 5:6; 1:20; Eph. 2:12)
   

[4]. To preach forgiveness of sin - (1 Jn. 1:7,9; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:19; Acts 13:39,40)
[5]. To give them an inheritance - (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Acts 17:30)

Vs. 19

Paul keys in on the guest of honor... King Agrippa. "I have been obedient to the heavenly vision, have YOU?"

Vs. 20

See (Acts 20:21) - "Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Lk. 3:8)

Vs. 22

Paul then confirms that all that he is preaching is what has been already revealed in the Old Testament (vs. 23) (Lk. 24:25).

Vs. 24

Festus is upset with the lack of attention, he has been "upstaged" by Paul. He also speaks as a man under much conviction, after all this is not the first time he's heard Paul preach (Acts 24:24,25). Modern day colloquial: "Paul you're off your rocker, you've been watching too much TV."

Festus is:

[1]. Under conviction - (Acts 24:27; 25:1-14; 26:26)

[2]. Festus sees a good friend listening to what is being said; he has ears to hear (Rom. 10:17)

[3]. Festus is no longer the star of the show; Festus is a "big shot."

Vs. 25-32

Paul knows that Agrippa is knowledgeable on the subject of salvation. "This thing was not done in a corner. Paul puts Agrippa on the spot in front of Festus, chief captains, principal men of the city, etc. (Acts 24:22).

Vs. 28

Witnessing is persuading. (2 Cor. 5:11; Acts 21:14, 18:13, 28:23, 19:8)

"Christian" is mentioned only thrice in the Word: (Acts 26:28, 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16)

Vs. 29

Paul believed what he preached. He would that all were like him. This is not an egotistical statement. Its reference is to his preaching the Word and accepting "the words of truth" (vs. 25).

Here we find two of the three possible responses to a gospel invitation. (Acts 17:32-34), Festus mocks and Agrippa postpones or delays a decision.

Vs. 30

The king dismisses himself. He's heard enough for one day. He confers with Festus and decides that he is innocent, yet he must stand before Caesar for it has been his wish (Acts 25:11).

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