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CHRISTIANITY OASIS
DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL
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PAUL'S DEFENSE
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
CHAPTER 26
Hello again, and
welcome back to Daily Bread. We’ve been studying about the accusations
against Paul, and although it’s only been a few chapters to us since he’s
been imprisoned, awaiting a chance to defend himself, over two years have
passed since the Jewish people first accused him of treason and profaning
the Temple. Paul, being shuffled from one jurisdiction to another, appeals
to Cæsar in his discontent.
Festus is the new
governor now, and he doesn’t find any fault in Paul, so when his friend king
Agrippa comes to visit him, Festus tells him about Paul, and Agrippa is
curious to hear Paul’s case. There is a big to do, because of the king’s
presence and all the Jewish people gather to make their formal accusations.
Agrippa says to
Paul, You’re permitted to speak for yourself. So Paul began.
I’m happy, king Agrippa, to defend myself today
concerning all the things that the Jewish people accuse me of.
Especially because I know you are an expert in all customs and questions
that the Jewish people have, so I ask you to hear me patiently. All the
Jewish people who knew me from the beginning would tell you that since
my youth, when I lived in my own nation of Jerusalem, I lived according
to the most strict sect of our religion, as a Pharisee. And now, I stand
and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, to our fathers.
And to that promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God day and
night, hope to come. For that hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of
the Jewish people. Why do you think it’s an incredible thing, that God
should raise the dead? I honestly thought myself, that I ought to do
many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And many things 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 opinion against them. I punished them often, in
every synagogue, and strove to make them blaspheme; and being
exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Then, as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief
priests, at midday, O king, I saw on my way, a light from heaven,
brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.
When we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me,
and saying in Hebrew, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It’s hard for
you to fight against what you’re to be. And I said, Who are you, Lord?
And He said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But rise, and stand on your
feet: because I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a
minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of
other things which I will show you; delivering you from the people, and
from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to
turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those
who are sanctified by Faith that is in me. Hearing that, O king Agrippa,
I wasn’t disobedient to the Heavenly vision, but showed, first to those
in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa,
and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and
do works suitable for repentance. These are the reasons the Jewish
people caught me in the Temple, and tried to kill me. But having
obtained the help of God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to
small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets
and Moses said would happen: That Christ would suffer, and that He would
be the first that would rise from the dead, and would show light to the
people, and to the Gentiles.
As Paul spoke for
himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you’re insane, much learning
makes you crazy. But Paul answered him, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but
I speak words of TRUTH and soberness. Then Paul directed his response to
Agrippa, saying, For the king understands these things, before whom I speak
freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him;
for this thing was not done in secret. King Agrippa, do you believe the
prophets? I know that you believe.
Then Agrippa said
to Paul, You almost persuade me to become a Christian. And Paul said, I wish
to God, that not only you, but also, all that hear me this day, were both
almost persuaded, and altogether persuaded, such as I am, except for these
chains. When he said this, the king stood up, and the governor, and Bernice,
and those who sat with them. And when they were gone aside, they talked
between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of
prison. Then Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set free, if
he hadn’t appealed to Cæsar.
You can always
sense that the Holy Spirit was guiding Paul whenever he spoke. How
intelligent to show that he was just proving what the prophets said to be
true, because if anyone disagreed, they would be treasonous as well. Well,
in this day and age, people have the right to remain silent, but Paul,
having an opportunity to spread the Gospel, no matter when or where, found
it very suitable to share the TRUTH, and as always, delivered his message
with confidence and power, and yet at the same time, as a humble servant to
the Lord.
In our next study,
we’ll go with Paul as he sets sail for Rome. You won’t want to miss the
adventures ahead, right here at Daily Bread!
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IF you believe
that JESUS CHRIST is working in this Ministry and you have
felt the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT:
PROVE HIS PROMISE
OF BLESSINGS
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