Daily Scripture Reading Acts 26:9-29
Many times, when a non-Christian is exposed to a church service or an evangelist preaching the gospel, the non-Christian does not come away from that exposure believing the Christian has deep, extensive knowledge. Instead, Christians often come across as light thinkers whose beliefs are based more on wishful thinking than they are on facts.
In today’s scripture reading, we will see that when Paul explained his ministry, he was accused of being so highly educated, it was driving him mad. This is an indication to us that our presentation of the gospel should be done in such a way that Christians are known to be highly informed, not just wishful thinkers.
At the end of the 25th chapter of Acts, Festus and Agrippa had come together with great pomp and gathered with the prominent men of Caesarea. Paul was brought in because Festus had to send Paul to the Emperor, but had nothing to write pertaining to the charges against Paul. Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak.
The 26th chapter records Paul’s defense. Paul began by recounting how he grew up in Jerusalem and lived as a Pharisee, according to the strictest sect of their religion.
Acts 26:9 ¶ “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.
The pronoun “I” refers to Paul.
Acts 26:10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.
We read about this in Acts 8.
Acts 26:11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
The following event is recorded in Acts 9
Acts 26:12 ¶ “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
Acts 26:13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.
Acts 26:14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
The earlier passages that tell us about Paul’s journey to Damascus do not record the statement about kicking against the goads. A goad is a sharp point or a sting. The Greek word that is translated “goad” is also used in 1Cor 15:55 and Rev 9:10 where it is translated “sting”. If a person kicks against a sharp point, they will injure themselves; therefore, people generally do not do that. Jesus basically told Saul that when he was persecuting Christians, he was kicking a goad, doing more harm to himself than he was to Jesus.
Acts 26:15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
The Jews and Christians agreed that Jesus had been crucified. The Jews believed Jesus was still dead, while the Christians believed Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. One of the reasons Saul persecuted the church was because Saul believed Jesus was dead. Jesus proved to Saul that He was alive by speaking to him.
Acts 26:16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
Take note of the word “purpose”. Jesus appeared to Saul so that he could be a witness for Jesus.
Acts 26:17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
Notice that Jesus promised to rescue Saul from the Jews and Gentiles. Look at the word “sending”. Saul knew from his time of conversion that he was going to be sent to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
This verse lists four things that happen at the point of salvation. People turn from dark to light. They leave Satan’s authority and go to God’s. They sins are forgiven. They gain an inheritance.
Acts 26:19 ¶ “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Acts 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Don’t miss the word “repent”. Repentance is a requirement for salvation. Look at the last phrase “practicing deeds appropriate to repentance”. If people truly repent, then their behavior should change. If their behavior doesn't change, then it is doubtful they ever truly repented.
Acts 26:21 For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to put me to death.
Acts 26:22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;
Acts 26:23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Paul told the assembly that the Prophets and Moses foretold the suffering of Jesus. The Jews had no excuse. They knew the Prophets and Moses. They should have recognized that Jesus is their Messiah.
Acts 26:24 ¶ Now while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
First, note Festus said this, not Agrippa. Festus was not familiar with Judaism and Christianity; whereas, Agrippa had some knowledge about it.
Second, while listening to Paul, Festus concluded Paul had great learning. Unfortunately, today many Christian pastors, speakers, and authors do not come across as being well educated. Instead of teaching substance and citing facts, they appeal to emotions and use platitudes.
Paul set an example for us. Our appeals to non-Christians should be based on truth, not emotion. Christianity is based on a set of historical events which have been documented in writing. People do not become Christians by having feelings. Instead, they become believers by believing in Jesus, which means believing what the Bible tells us about Jesus.
Acts 26:25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.
Acts 26:26 For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.
Paul was speaking to Festus, but the word “king” refers to Agrippa.
Note the word “corner”. Paul reminded Festus and Agrippa that the life of Jesus was not some obscure event. His life, ministry, death, and resurrection were well-publicized.
Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.”
The Prophets predicted a Messiah. The well-known facts about Jesus prove that Jesus is the Messiah. Paul wanted Agrippa to acknowledge he believed the Prophets because then Agrippa the next step would be for Agrippa to admit that Jesus is the Messiah, a crucial step for Agrippa to become a Christian.
Acts 26:28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “In such short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”
Agrippa sidestepped the question.
Acts 26:29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
Paul desired everyone to join him in being a servant of Jesus Christ.
When Paul stated the basis for believing in Jesus, Festus concluded Paul had great learning. This is the opposite of what happens today. Many modern Christians come across as intellectual lightweights.
If a non-Christian were to attend your church, would he conclude your Pastor has great learning?
When you share the gospel with the unsaved, do they presume your belief system is based on facts, knowledge, conviction, and extensive study?
How should we present the truth about Jesus so that those outside Christianity would conclude that our belief system is the result of research, not unsupported hope?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”