Thursday, August 26, 2010

Acts Chapter Twenty-Six

Acts Chapter Twenty-Six (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Six (NASB)

I. SYNOPSIS

Verses 1-11: Paul speaks about his life before Christianity.

Verses 12-18: Paul speaks about his conversion.

Verses 19-32: Paul preaches the Gospel.

II. KEY PASSAGES

Acts 26:22-23--"To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul is speaking to Jews, wealthy Romans, and others. Here he says that he testifies "both to small and great," showing that the Gospel is for people of all social classes. He then says the Gospel is to be proclaimed "both to our people and to the Gentiles," showing that the Gospel is for all races. The Gospel isn't simply a message about salvation. It breaks down social and racial barriers.

Acts 26:24-25--"And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.' But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.'" Paul's appeal to visions must have made him sound crazy to skeptics. Paul responds that his words are true and rational. Paul then turns his attention back to Agrippa, who had a reputation for being a pious Jew, and therefore wouldn't have been ask skeptical of visions.

1 comment:

Zack_Tiang said...

Acts 26:30-32 "The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."

Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." "

I was given this argument.. saying that Paul was stupid, because if he had not appealed to Caesar, he would've been fine and set free.

Am I correct to say that King Agrippa was not better aware of Paul's predicament with the Jews before Paul met Agrippa?