Acts 26:1-21

Acts 26:1–21 (NASB)

1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: 2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? 9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 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. 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. 12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 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. 14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ 19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 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, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21 “For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.

***OPENING QUESTIONS***

Any initial thoughts or questions?

This is the sixth time Luke records for us Paul giving a defense for the Gospel since chapter 21.

Paul gave a defense before the Church Council.

(Acts 21:15-26)

Paul gave a defense to the crowd

(Acts 21:40 - Acts 22:21)

Paul gave a defense when he was before the Jewish Council

(Acts 23:1-9)

Paul gave a defense before Felix the governor.

(Acts 24:1-21)

Paul gave a defense before Festus the governor.

(Acts 25:1-12)

Now Paul is giving a defense to King Agrippa and Bernice.

(Acts 25:23 - Acts 26:29)

Paul’s CURRENT CROWD: (v. 1-3)

Paul before Agrippa (v. 1-3)

1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: 2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Acts 25:23 (NASB)

23 So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Paul’s CONTEXT: (v. 4-11)

Paul wanted to make sure they knew about his upbringing as a Jew. (v. 4)

4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;

He was a Roman citizens, bit also a Jew.

Acts 22:3 (ESV)

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city...

Philippians 3:5a (NASB)

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews...

Luke 2:22–24 (ESV)

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Luke 2:46–47 (NASB)

46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

******Why would Paul’s Jewish upbringing matter?******

Paul’s training as a Pharisee is key: (v. 5-7)

5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.

Philippians 3:5b (NASB)

5 ...as to the Law, a Pharisee...

Acts 22:3 (ESV)

3 “...educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

Acts 5:34 (NASB)

34 ...a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people...

GREEK: Pharisaios (Φαρισαῖος)

Pharisee: It is derived from the Hebrews word “parush” and the Aramic word “perisa” all three of which mean literally mean, “one who separates”. The Pharisees were both a religious sect of the Jews and a political party. They came to be after the Babylonian captivity, and are first mentioned around 100 BC, during the Maccabean revolt. As far as the main Jewish religious and political sects, they were actually in the minority. They were more Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots than Pharisees. But of all the main groups, they were the most popular, well liked and respected among the common people.

Key Pharisee beliefs:

Angels and Demons

The resurrection of the dead

Heaven and Hell

The coming Messiah

Oral Law = Torah (believed the Law and the Prophets)

Strict adherence to the law.

Major emphasis on preserving the Scripture and oral traditions.

Responsible for synagogues (they believed God could and should be worshipped outside of the Temple. This made them very popular among the people); [It is also another reason the Sadducees and the Pharisees were at odds. The Sadducees were the priests, always the high priest, and they believed that worship had to be done in the Temple only].

Stay away from things that defile (including unclean people, especially Gentiles)

Pharisee training:

Be a disciple of a Pharisee Rabbi

Learn the Torah and Oral Traditions

Affirm the teaching of the Pharisees

Strict adherence to the Law

Do work as a scribe.

Teach the Torah, Oral Traditions and Pharisee Doctrines in the synagogues

*****Why would Paul being a Pharisee be key?*****

Paul was also a Persecutor of the Way. (v. 9-11)

9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 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. 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.

Philippians 3:6 (NASB)

6 ...as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Acts 8:1–3 (NASB)

1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

*****Why is Paul the Persecutor important?*****

Paul’s CONVERSION: (v. 12-18)

Paul saw. (v. 12-13)

12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 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.

A Pharisee going with the authority of the Sadducees. He was supposed to be enlightened but was actually in darkness, even in midday.

Acts 9:1–9 (ESV)

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Paul heard. (v. 14-18)

14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Notice what Jesus says to Paul first...

(v. 14-15) [Matthew 25:33-46]

Matthew 25:40 (NASB)

40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

He thought he was fighting people that were opposing the one true God, he just found out he was actually fighting against the one true God.

His instruction flies in the face of the most important aspect of Paul’s life… being a Pharisee…

(v. 16-18) 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Remember the definition of the word Pharisee…

Remember what they were separating from…

Paul obeyed. (v. 19-21)

19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 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, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21 “For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.

Acts 9:20–30 (ESV)

20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. 23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 20:24 (NASB)

24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul’s CRIMES: (v. 19-21)

Trusting in Jesus. (v. 15)

15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Teaching about Jesus. (v. 19-21)

19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 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, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21 “For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.

The key issue... (v. 8)

8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?

Acts 23:6 (NASB)

6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”

1 Corinthians 15:12–17 (NASB)

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

****What else stuck out to you?****

****Last thoughts or questions?****