Frameworks:
Acts 26: Paul in Court
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. )
v.1-11
In his defence Paul shares his personal history with King Agrippa
v.12-18
He shares about encountering Jesus
v.19-23
He shares about the opposition he received
v.24-32
King Festus argues with Paul
v.1-11
In his defence Paul shares his personal history with King Agrippa
v.1
Then
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
v.2,3
“King
Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today
as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,
and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the
Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen
to me patiently.
v.4
“The
Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a
child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also
in Jerusalem.
v.5
They
have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing,
that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living
as a Pharisee.
v.6
And
now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors
that I am on trial today.
v.7
This
is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as
they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because
of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.
v.8
Why
should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
v.9
“I
too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to
oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
v.10
And
that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the
chief priests I put many of the Lord's people in prison, and when
they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
v.11
Many
a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,
and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with
persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
[Passage
Synopsis: Paul
again tells of his zealous background opposing Jesus.]
v.12-18
He shares about encountering Jesus
v.12
“On
one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority
and commission of the chief priests.
v.13
About
noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven,
brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.
v.14
We
all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,
‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.'
v.15
“Then
I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?' “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,'
the Lord replied.
v.16
‘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.
v.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.'
[Passage
Synopsis: He
follows on that lengthy explanation with his testimony of meeting
Jesus on the road to Damascus.]
v.19-23
He shares about the opposition he received
v.19
“So
then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
v.20
First
to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea,
and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and
turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
v.21
That
is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill
me.
v.22,23
But
God has helped me to this very day; so 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.”
[Passage
Synopsis: He
explains about how he has taught all he learned of the Christ,
to both Jew and Gentile.]
v.24-32
King Festus argues with Paul
v.24
At
this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. “You are out of
your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving
you insane.”
v.25
“I
am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am
saying is true and reasonable.
v.26
The
king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to
him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice,
because it was not done in a corner.
v.27
King
Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
v.28
Then
Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time
you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
v.29
Paul
replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but
all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except
for these chains.”
v.30
The
king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting
with them.
v.31
After
they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man
is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
v.32
Agrippa
said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not
appealed to Caesar.”
[Passage
Synopsis: Festus
interrupts Paul. Perhaps it is the talk of going to the Gentiles
but he objects violently and so Paul turns to Agrippa but Agrippa
backs off and they all leave.]
Continue
to chapter 27