Daily Bread Acts 26
Daily Bread Acts 26
19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”
24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”
25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. 26 And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”
28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
Observation:
As Paul testifies before King Agrippa, we see his clear, calm testimony to the truth about Jesus. Paul tries to establish common ground with Agrippa, citing that the prophets had foretold of Jesus’ coming. Again the boiling point comes when Paul announces the principal prophecy that Jesus fulfullied that he suffered, died and was the first to rise from the dead.
At this point Festus, who he had seen earlier has heard enough and announces that Paul’s study has made him crazy. But Paul kept his course pointing to the fact that these things have already happened in history, they are not merely points of philosophy or intellectual musings.
At this point Agrippa realizes that instead of Paul being on trial, that Paul is subtly trying to convince him to be a Christian. Agrippa calls him on it and Paul admits that his desire is for Agrippa and all those gathered to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Application:
As we are called upon to give a reason for the hope that is within us, our hope is not based on an intellectual debate or some abstract philosophy. It is based on a person who claimed to be God, taught what God was like through what He said and did. And finally proved He was God, by rising from the dead, just as he had predicted.
While this might seem insane to some, it is the basis for what we believe. Paul also makes a key point when he says, “These things were not done in a corner”. Jesus’ death and resurrection were public events based on many eyewitnesses; both men and women. These eyewitnesses were people of faith and people who would have loved to prove that Jesus was a hoax and just another good teacher, but certainly not God.
Why is it so hard for people to accept that Jesus really rose from the dead, and is the only Son of God? Because if Jesus is who he said He was, His teachings are authoritative and come straight from the mouth of God. If Jesus rose from the dead He is the Messiah and He is Lord. He is Lord of me and He is Lord of you. To say Jesus is Lord, is to give up control of being your own lord and following him. While this is the hardest thing to do, it leads to the greatest joy.
Prayer: Jesus we thank you that what we believe in is based on a historical fact that you indeed rose from the dead after three days just like you said. You are the Lord of all Creation and Lord over me. Help me to follow you and discover the abundant life you promised to all who believe. In Your name we pray, Am
19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”
24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”
25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. 26 And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”
28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”
Observation:
As Paul testifies before King Agrippa, we see his clear, calm testimony to the truth about Jesus. Paul tries to establish common ground with Agrippa, citing that the prophets had foretold of Jesus’ coming. Again the boiling point comes when Paul announces the principal prophecy that Jesus fulfullied that he suffered, died and was the first to rise from the dead.
At this point Festus, who he had seen earlier has heard enough and announces that Paul’s study has made him crazy. But Paul kept his course pointing to the fact that these things have already happened in history, they are not merely points of philosophy or intellectual musings.
At this point Agrippa realizes that instead of Paul being on trial, that Paul is subtly trying to convince him to be a Christian. Agrippa calls him on it and Paul admits that his desire is for Agrippa and all those gathered to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Application:
As we are called upon to give a reason for the hope that is within us, our hope is not based on an intellectual debate or some abstract philosophy. It is based on a person who claimed to be God, taught what God was like through what He said and did. And finally proved He was God, by rising from the dead, just as he had predicted.
While this might seem insane to some, it is the basis for what we believe. Paul also makes a key point when he says, “These things were not done in a corner”. Jesus’ death and resurrection were public events based on many eyewitnesses; both men and women. These eyewitnesses were people of faith and people who would have loved to prove that Jesus was a hoax and just another good teacher, but certainly not God.
Why is it so hard for people to accept that Jesus really rose from the dead, and is the only Son of God? Because if Jesus is who he said He was, His teachings are authoritative and come straight from the mouth of God. If Jesus rose from the dead He is the Messiah and He is Lord. He is Lord of me and He is Lord of you. To say Jesus is Lord, is to give up control of being your own lord and following him. While this is the hardest thing to do, it leads to the greatest joy.
Prayer: Jesus we thank you that what we believe in is based on a historical fact that you indeed rose from the dead after three days just like you said. You are the Lord of all Creation and Lord over me. Help me to follow you and discover the abundant life you promised to all who believe. In Your name we pray, Am
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