Acts.16

Paul before Agrippa

Standing Firm: Paul's Defense and Our Witness

Bible Passage: Acts 25:13 - 26:32

Summary: In these passages, Paul stands before King Agrippa and shares his testimony of faith in Jesus, emphasizing the hope and resurrection that define his preaching amidst political and religious scrutiny.

1. Resurrection Hope

Acts 25:13–19 “13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, 19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”

Resurrection hope is a powerful message to the unsaved. Mortality and the promise of something beyond. Without the promise of eternal life the gospel is just a list of rules without a purpose. To the world Christianity is about sins and rules, to the church Christianity is about the Son and our fellowship with Him.

Nothing Certain to Write?

Acts 20:20-27 “And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.” 23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.””

Agrippa was intrigued, he wanted to hear Paul and his message.

Was not your typical criminal, he had not broken a civil law. Paul was preaching grace and the legalists wanted him silenced. That is a concept the world doesn’t understand.

Festus had ‘nothing certain to write’? Was he afraid to actually spell out the gospel of grace was the complaint.

2. Paul Again Gives His Testimony - Who He Was

Acts 26:1–11 “1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? 9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”

In Paul’s testimony of who he was he prioritizes the danger of unbelief, it’s futility to gain eternal life, and it’s danger that deceives one that we should fight against God.

His appeal is that Agrippa might have to adjust his perception and first believe in Jesus for the living water - resurrection to a new life. Only then can a person truly repent and understand the depths of sin.

3. Paul’s Testimony - Who God Made Him to be

Acts 26:12–18 “12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

Paul continues his testimony with the powerful commission as the apostle to the Gentiles.

His calling was for a purpose with a special promise:

to make Paul a minister - ὑπηρέτης a servant, assistant, helper

and a witness - μάρτυς a truth teller with a divine message

The promise that would enable him was that God deliver him from those he was to minister to. Kind of an ominous promise.

He carried a life-changing message directly from God.

To open eyes - to give sight to the blind

To turn them from darkness to light - discipleship in the Word

From the power of Satan to God - positional truth

To reveal forgiveness of sins - fellowship

And the inheritance among the saints. - our potential from partakers to partners

4. Not Disobedient to the Heavenly Vision - Paul’s Message

Acts 26:19–23 “19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.””

The heavenly vision gave Paul the boldness and authority to preach his message and to address King Agrippa.

The Disciplined Disciple does not let circumstances deter them from following hard after their heavenly vision.

Grace was the message Paul preached which led to a repentance, a walk of faith and good works.

Repentance - μετανοέω - awareness of sin which displeases God

Turn to God - ἐπιστρέφω - HAVE FAITH -believe is the only way to eternal life.

Do works - Matthew 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” = discipleship

Ezekiel 18:30–32 ““Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!””

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’”

The message prophesied by the OT of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. And that His gospel would be a light to the world.

5. Does Much Learning Drive Christians Mad? - Words Almost Persuade Agrippa

Acts 26:24–32 “24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.””

Answer to Agrippa’s question, no, quite the contrary they are words of reason and truth. A small attempt at diversion, but Agrippa is curious. Almost to the point of faith. Paul was a persuader of men.

The message of the gospel is not a thing to fear it is the power of God to salvation

Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:24 “24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

(perhaps he was secretly the figure behind Luke’s writings - most excellent Theophilis).