Paul’s
Sermon Before King Agrippa
–
Acts Twenty-Six –
Acts twenty-five pictured Paul before the judgment bar of Festus,
Agrippa, and Bernice and some great men of
Paul had lived his life as a Pharisee but he
learned that the hope of the Jews is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
He is now in bonds because of that hope. He asked Agrippa why he thought it
would be impossible for God to raise the dead? Paul
had thought he should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
He did his best to destroy Christianity because he felt that he was doing the
will of God.
Christ was made
know to Paul as he journeyed to
Festus thought that
Paul was a mad man but Agrippa was not far from being converted. "Agrippa
said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Christian." (Acts 26:28) Sadly Agrippa was only a little distance from
being make a Christian, yet there is no Biblical evidence that his heart was
ever changed. The wish Paul had for Agrippa should be our desire for all
mankind. "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me
this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these
bonds." (Acts 26:29)
Even after two years
of being kept in prison unjustly Paul’s heart was still filled with faith,
hope, joy, conviction and love for God. Happiness does not depend on
circumstance. Paul might have been bound by the government but he was free in
Christ.
Festus, Agrippa and
Bernice agreed saying, "This man has done nothing which might give cause
for death or prison." (Acts 26:31) "Then said Agrippa unto Festus,
This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto
Caesar."
Paul humbly addressed
Agrippa – Acts 26:1-11: Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak for himself. As Paul began
his defense he stretched forth his hand. This action was designed to gain their
attention. He felt happy to answer the charges made against him by the Jews
before King Agrippa. The charges involved profaning the temple, contempt for
the Jews, their customs and the Law, blasphemy, and sedition. Paul was innocent
of all charges.
The Jews had known
Paul since childhood and they knew his manner of life. If they were willing to
do so those Jews could verify that Paul had live in a strict manner as a
Pharisee. He wanted it known that he was on trial because of God's promise of
salvation based on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He asked why
anyone would doubt that God had raised the dead to life again. Early on, Paul
was opposed to Jesus Himself, to His religion, to His Gospel, and especially to
His people. Paul put many Christians in jail and even voted for them to be
killed. He punished Christians in their meeting places. He tried to make them
renounce the Christ. He was so angry against Christians that he pursued them to
foreign cities.
Paul's conversion and commission – Acts
26:12-18: Paul was on my way to
Paul preached both among Jews and Gentiles, but his specific work was that of being an apostle to the Gentiles. His work was always to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles. This was his method until the Jews had rejected the gospel then he turned to the Gentiles. He preached among them to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Gentiles had the opportunity to become part of God's kingdom on the same terms by which the Jews entered -- obedient faith in Jesus.
Paul's
preaching among the Gentiles – Acts 26:19-23: Paul was obedient to
Jesus concerning his personal salvation and concerning the work the Lord had
for him to do. He immediately began to preach at
God protected Paul
and helped him as he preached both to the rich and to the poor. The only thing
he preached was what the prophets and Moses said would happen. Paul proved that
trough Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and resurrection that He had brought
light to the Jews and to the Gentiles.
Paul
proved himself to be innocent – Acts 26:24-32: Festus reacted by saying
that Paul was a mad man. Paul said he was not mad and that what he preached was
true and in harmony with scripture. Paul
then turned to Agrippa and asked him if
he believed what the prophets said? Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Paul wanted Agrippa
and all others to be Christians without chains or bonds.
King Agrippa,
Festus, and Bernice, all agreed saying, "This man is not guilty of
anything. He does not deserve to die or to be put in jail." Agrippa told
Festus that Paul could have been set free, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
His appeal to Caesar would take him to
Being a Christian is a serious responsibility.
To become a Christian, you must hear the gospel (Romans