Church attendance in America went from 73% in 1937 (large majority of the people) to 47% in 2020 (less that half of the people). Largest drop occurring in the last ten years as shown on the slide.
75% of college students are influenced by left-leaning radical professors, and end up leaving the faith, which takes us to Ratio Christi’s efforts to bring Christ to the college campus. Collectively, we can help make a difference by joining them in sharing the Gospel with the college world. Why not share this link with a friend. Together we can help make a difference. Here is their website: https://give.ratiochristi.org/
The Bible, as the inerrant Word of God, was inspired, not just to read in our spare time, but to pray over and ponder. As we approach the final chapters of Acts, there is a constant message about sharing Jesus with the world. As Adrian Rogers said in one of his sermons, we are the 29th chapter of Acts. Pastor Rogers reminds us that Acts ends at chapter 28, but as God’s people we too are called to bring Christ to the world around us.
In chapter 25, Paul was brought before King Agrippa II, which is where we pick up again in chap. 26, with Paul standing before Agrippa. He was the son of King Herod Agrippa I whose death is recorded in chapter 24.
In chapter 25, Paul stood trial before the Roman governor Festus, with his Jewish accusers testifying against him, the details of which he explained to King Agrippa II.
At the close of chapter 25, Festus made the following statement, regarding the accusations against Paul: "King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.” With Paul not guilty of breaking Roman law, why did Festus make the decision to send Paul to Caesar? Most likely, to rid himself of that problematic Jew and his accusers.
We had looked at King Agrippa II in chapter 25; additional information is being provided. He ruled over the Syrian kingdom of Chalcis (map). He was given extended authority by Rome to supervise the temple in Jerusalem and appoint the high priest, which gave him a lot of authority in Jewish affairs. Festus, as procurator of Judea, would naturally turn to Agrippa for counsel concerning the handling of Paul’s case.
King Agrippa extended his hand with a motion (v.1) signifying permission for Paul to speak. Paul begins with a compliment at being allowed to offer his own defense (v.2-3). Paul’s main reason was not to defend himself, but as an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with King Agrippa and all those present, something not otherwise possible. We will never know if any of those present accepted Jesus Christ, although quietly.
Paul’s own country (v.4) was Cilicia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), born in the City of Tarsus. Paul begins by telling of his own background as a Jew. We know he had studied in the Jerusalem school of Rabbi Gamaliel, one of the leading Jewish thinkers of his time. He reminds Agrippa of God’s promises to the Jews, and how he stands accused for professing that same prophesy given by and through the prophets.
In about 931 B.C., the 12 tribes of Israel (v.7) were divided into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Around 722 B.C., a little over two hundred years later, the Assyrians invaded and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. A remnant of those 10 tribes migrated south merging into the two Southern tribes in Judea, thus representing all of historic Israel as stated by Paul. Paul notes that all the Jews were waiting for those promises to be fulfilled, yet they rejected the very One who fulfilled them, and for that reason, he now stands accused by the Jewish leaders for professing Jesus as the promised Messiah.
He tells how he himself, like his accusers, had persecuted the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, with the full authority of the chief priest and Sanhedrin. And that he himself even voted against them and stood by as a witness to their death.
He told of his intense hatred of the "the Way" the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, even traveling to foreign cities outside of Judea to persecute them.
He tells about traveling as far as Damascus, Syria, where he was met by that same Jesus. A “goad” (v.14) is a spiked stick used for prodding/driving cattle (image shown on slide). Another way of stating it is the NLT: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to fight against my will.’
Paul was commission by Jesus to share the Gospel with the Gentile world (v.16). Every apostle, including Paul, was handpicked by Jesus, except Matthias, who was chosen by the other apostles by casting lots (Acts 1:26). It would seem that, although they meant well, they were somewhat presumptuous in choosing a replacement for Judas. We see here that Jesus had selected a replacement. Matthias isn’t mentioned any where else in the New Testament.
Paul states his case (v.20-21) as to why the Jews seized him, and how he ended up on trial. If not for the Roman guards, the Jews most likely would have stoned him to death (v.21) either in the temple court or during their planned ambush.
Once again, Paul clearly states that all he did was profess the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies stated by both the prophets and Moses, including that the Messiah would rise from the dead, as Jesus had done, being witnessed by more than 500 people; with the word of His resurrection spreading to many more, perhaps even to the King.
Festus acknowledges Paul’s years of learning as a Pharisee (v.24). Being a Roman, Festus was not familiar with Jewish prophesies, thus concluding that Paul was insane to make such statements—that Jesus rose from the dead—which Paul rebutted saying his claim was both true and reasonable when put within context of Jewish prophesy.
Paul points out that Agrippa, himself, is familiar with these same prophesies (v.26) and is prone to believe them (v.27).
Agrippa saw Paul’s comments as an attempt to convert him to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but he wasn’t going to have any part of it. As noted earlier, Paul’s intent was to share the Gospel with everyone there. Paul didn’t count on his words converting them, but to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit. All of which leads us to the doctrine of predestination and election (Rom. 9:11)—perhaps a future Sunday morning Foundations study.
At that point, Festus, Agrippa and Bernice left the room to discuss the situation. Even Agrippa agreed that Paul did nothing to deserve death or imprisonment, and could have been set free had he not, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar. Actually, it was the easiest decision for both Festus and Agrippa, because if they released Paul it would have created a backlash from the Sanhedrin and potential unrest, even mob protests.
A brief summary of where we are. Paul’s decision to go before Caesar wasn’t a spur of the moment decision…it only came after two years of confinement—minus an opportunity to effectively share the gospel further, since he did so to everyone he came in contact with during his two years in confinement.
The charges against Paul by the Jews, were without merit under Roman law. Those in power will do almost anything to retain power, especially at the highest levels, being those who have the most to lose. It was easier to send Paul to Rome, than to release him and risk backlash from the Jews. Out of sight, out of mind.
End of
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 26
