 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? 9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Paul Tells of His Conversion12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” 30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Meditation People can disqualify themselves from Christ’s service when they feel weak or in difficult circumstances. Today’s passage blows our excuses out of the water. Paul is in chains and on trial, weak in position and difficult in circumstances, and his passion fuels proclamation of the gospel to the most powerful man in the region. Your weaknesses and difficult circumstances do not disqualify you from a powerful gospel witness but they do strengthen the power of the gospel through you. Paul’s third account of his testimony in the book of Acts (Acts 9 and Acts 22 too) leads to name calling and personal attacks. (To discover Paul’s pattern of sharing his testimony go HERE). Paul’s pointed question- “Why is it incredible to any of you that God raises the dead?”(8) does not drive the hostility. Rather, the implication of Christ’s resurrection, that Christ was the fulfillment of Moses’ teaching, catalyzed the conflict. Paul’s proclamation fueled Festus’ reply “in a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind!...’” (24). If we are out of our minds, it is for God (2 Corinthians 5:13). The word of the cross is foolishness to unbelievers. God uses the weakness of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). The position of Paul as prisoner provides power to the proclamation and purposes of the cross, offending Festus in his position of power. God’s power is potent from your position, too. Your circumstances and situation qualify you for sharing the gospel message! Richly Dwelling -Are you afraid to look foolish for Christ, to be “out of your mind” because of gospel truth? -Why is the reality of the cross foolishness to the world? Why is it offensive to communicate the scope of the purpose of the gospel, to reach all people in all places? -Paul’s position of weakness highlights the power of the gospel. We often consider our weak positions as something that disqualifies us from gospel proclamation but this is not the case. How does your position of weakness open the door for the power of gospel proclamation? Key Verse 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind…” Comments are closed.
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