Facts to Remember in Defending Your Faith

1. Dedication to Christ Does Not Win Popularity Contests (Acts 25:23-26:8).

Acts 25:23–26:8 NLT

23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. 26 “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. 27 For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!” 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.” So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently! 4 “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 6 Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7 In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! 8 Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?

A- Many people know about Christianity without knowing Christ.

B- People who know your history may still not understand you (if they are unsaved or uncommitted).

C- We should address all people respectfully (even non-Christians).

D- If God is real, nothing is impossible.

2. Testifying of God’s power in our own lives helps confirm Gospel Truth (Acts 26:9-18).

Acts 26:9–18 NLT

9 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities. 12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ 15 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

A- Don’t be afraid to be transparent about the life God delivered you from.

B- Don’t be afraid to tell others about ways in which God has met with you personally.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Acts C. Testimony of Confrontation (vv. 12–18)

26:15–18. Paul moved directly to the commissioning words of Jesus the Lord. What the gathered audience at Caesarea heard that day sounded very much like Old Testament prophetic calls (Ezek. 2:1, 3; Jer. 1:7, 8; Isa. 42:6b, 7). Grammatically, this presents a most interesting paragraph. It includes a stack of infinitives: to open eyes, to turn from darkness to light, to turn from the authority of Satan to God, to receive forgiveness of sins, to receive an inheritance among those who believe in Jesus.

Furthermore, it offers an interesting array of dualities, some of them standing in stark contrast.

Get up Stand on your feet

Appeared to you to appoint you

as a servant as a witness

what you have seen what I will show you

Rescue from Jews Rescue from Gentiles

to open their eyes to turn them

from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God

Receive the forgiveness Receive a place among the sanctified

of sins

3. When in doubt what to say when defending your faith, head for the resurrection and repentance (Acts 26:19-23).

Acts 26:19–23 NLT

19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

A- The proof of repentance is in obedience to Christ.

Paul demonstrated this in his life. (Acts 9:19-29).

We should be able to do likewise.

(Luke 3:8)

Luke 3:8 NLT

8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

(Ephesians 2:10)

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

(Titus 2:14)

Titus 2:14 NLT

14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

(Titus 3:8)

Titus 3:8 NLT

8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

B- The power of the Gospel is remarkable. (Acts 26:22-23).

Acts 26:22–23 NLT

22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

4. When we present the gospel, application and invitation are part of the process (Acts 26:24-32).

Acts 26:24–32 NLT

24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” 25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. 26 And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—” 28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” 29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” 30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”

A- The gospel is foolishness to the unbeliever, but it is the power that saves! (vs. 24-25)

B- The message is not a mystery reserved for a few, but good news intended for the world! (vs. 26)

C- We are to invite unbelievers to believe the gospel message (vs. 27-32)