Acts 26:19-32 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Acts 26:19-32. Let’s go!
Acts 26:19-23 (NIV)
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.
21 That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.
22 But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen–
23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
On verses 19-23: Paul continues his defense in the presence of King Agrippa, insisting that the message he has been preaching is nothing beyond what the Jewish Scriptures already said would happen. In other words, Paul was not starting some new sect or religion that departed from the Jewish faith, but rather was preaching what the Jewish Scriptures themselves speak about: that the Christ (Messiah) would die, rise from death and give light to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Acts 26:24-26 (NIV)
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
On verses 24-26: What caused Festus to interrupt Paul and tell him he is out of his mind? Most likely it was Paul’s assertion about the Christ rising from the dead. It’s as if Festus was saying, “Your scholarship is driving you mad, Paul. People don’t rise from the dead!” Yet Paul assured Festus that he wasn’t insane, that what he is saying is true and reasonable, and that the things he is talking about are not some ruse, scheme or unsubstantiated story “done in a corner”. Rather, the evidence for Christ’s resurrection is plain and clear for those who are willing to investigate it. That is still the case today. I have heard so many former skeptics say that they used to assume that the Christian stance that Jesus resurrected from the dead was absurd and impossible. But when they stopped to examine the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, they realized that the case for Jesus’ resurrection is not false or absurd but reasonable and compelling.
Acts 26:27-29 (NIV)
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
On verses 27-29: The driving vision of Paul’s life was that every person he met would one day personally believe in Jesus Christ. It’s what gave Paul the courage to speak this message “to small and great alike” (v22). When you’re driven by the belief that God loves everyone and everyone needs Jesus, rich, famous and powerful people won’t intimidate you enough to keep you from speaking and loving people to Jesus. May you not be intimidated by the big wigs and powerful people in your life. Realize that everyone is loved by God and needs a Saviour. Then love and respect them in light of that realization.
Acts 26:30-32 (NIV)
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.
31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
On verses 30-32: King Agrippa, Bernice, Festus and those in their company leave the hearing acknowledging to one another that Paul had not done anything to deserve death or imprisonment. And yet Paul continually faced the possibility of death and imprisonment. That’s the challenge of following Jesus: doing what’s right and maintaining your integrity, even when it subjects you to suffering that many would consider to be unnecessary.
Father, may I not be so caught up in how big and powerful people are and thus be intimidated by them. Instead, may I be caught up in how big, powerful and loving You are and treat the people around me in light of that revelation. In the mighty, beautiful of Jesus, the One who died and rose again, I pray, AMEN!
