Acts 26 Paul's Testimony

 

Acts 26- Paul’s Testimony

Jesus had told Paul of his mission to the Gentiles, to turn them from darkness and away from the power of satan. Many people are involved in satan worship and or various forms of the occult. Satan’s powerful hold can be broken only by the power of Jesus Christ. No matter what someone’s past is, they can “receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith”. We can trust in Christ’s power over satan, the victory has already been won.

King Agrippa was the youngest of five Herod’s who participated in biblical events. Roman emperors gave the Herod’s authority over various parts of Israel even though the family did not come from Jewish stock. They ruled over a conquered but resentful people.

During its glory years, Rome practiced a remarkable system of justice. Conquered people had few rights, but citizens like Paul, could appeal to Caesar as their ultimate judge. The apostle Paul exercised this right when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey. By law, the local political leaders had to send him to Rome. Along the way Agrippa interviewed Paul. Paul’s powerful spiritual autobiography and his challenge to Agrippa are recorded in Acts 25:13-26:32.

King Agrippa realized that the apostle Paul’s argument required a response. He used a question to avoid a decision. “You almost persuade me to become a Christan.” Actually, translates better as “Do you think you can convince me to become a Christian so quickly?” The king’s tactic reveals unbelief. He didn’t argue against the truth of Paul’s words. He couldn’t. He was simply unwilling to believe.

Becoming a Christian has little to do with speed. It has nothing to do with political position or intellectual insight. Many kinds of people come to faith in Christ while many others reject the gospel. God has given people enough reasons to believe in Christ. Those like Agrippa who reject Christ do so not because they are unpersuaded, but because they do not want to believe.

Questions make effective tools when we use them to find the truth. But questions can also be used to avoid the truth. Agrippa had a clear opportunity to meet the Truth Himself. Instead, he turned away from Christ.

When given the opportunity, some will refuse to believe. We can continue to pray for them and live Christ before them, hoping that one day they will decide for Christ. Their decision rests in God’s hands.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible