I REST MY CASE (2)

Agrippa to Paul: You have my permission to speak for your self. Paul began his defense: I consider myself fortunate to stand before you. As I make my defense against all accusations, and because you are well acquainted with Jewish customs and controversies.

3-8

Listen to me patiently, the Jewish people know the way I have lived from the beginning of my life in my own country and in Jerusalem.

They can testify if they are willing , that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion. An now it is because of my hope in what God promised our ancestors, i am on trial today. The promise of our twelve tribes hoping to see fulfilled as they serve God day and night.

It is because of this hope these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead.

9-16

I too was convinced, I ought to do all possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and that is just what I did in Jerusalem.

I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, I cast my vote against them. I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and tried to have them blaspheme. I even hunted them down in foreign cities. On one of those journeys going to Damascus , about noon, i saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We fell to the ground, I heard a voice saying: Saul , Saul

why do you persecute me? Then I asked, who are you, Lord? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting He replied. Now get up and stand on your feet, I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

17-18

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles, I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

19-23

I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven, I preached to those in Damascus, Jerusalem and Judea, and then to the Gentiles. I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day. I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen- that the Messiah would suffer and as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message

of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.

24-30

Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, shouting you are out of your mind Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane. Paul replied I am not insane, most excellent Festus, what I am saying is true and reasonable, he king is familiar with these things, I can speak freely to him. None of this has escaped his notice, it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do. Agrippa said to Paul, Do you think you can persuade me to be a Christian in such a short time? Paul replied , short or long - I pray to God not only you, but all who are listening to me may become what I am, except for these chains. The King rose, with the governor an Bernice and those sitting with them left the room, they began saying to one another, This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment. He could have been set free, had he not appeared to Caesar.