Post by Shepherd on Aug 15, 2009 12:12:22 GMT -6
PAUL’S TESTIMONY BEFORE AGRIPPA
ACTS 26:1...THEN AGRIPPA SAID UNTO PAUL, THOU ART PERMITTED TO SPEAK FOR THYSELF. THEN PAUL STRETCHED FORTH THE HAND, AND ANSWERED FOR HIMSELF.
Agrippa told Paul that he had permission to speak on his behalf. And Paul stretched out his hand and defended himself in the rest of the lesson.
Paul before Agrippa was the high point in the entire ministry of Paul. This fulfilled the prophecy that he would stand before kings and rulers. I believe it was God’s will for Paul to come before Agrippa. Paul was not on trial. This was not a court trial. Paul was not making a defense before Agrippa. He was preaching the gospel. Paul was not trying to defend himself, but was trying to win them to God. I believe that this was a great opportunity for Paul to bring the Gospel.
Luke records in Acts 25:23..AND ON THE MORROW, WHERE AGRIPPA WAS COME, AND BERNICE, WITH GREAT POMP, AND WAS ENTERED INTO THE PLACE OF HEARING, WITH THE CHIEF CAPTAINS, AND PRINCIPAL MEN OF THE CITY, AT FESTUS’ COMMANDMENT PAUL WAS BROUGHT FORTH.
I trust that somehow we can picture this as we listen to the message of Paul. As the door came open, a prisoner in chains is brought in. Paul was dressed in the cloths of a prisoner and he was chain to two guards. This was the man who preached the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ for men because of the sin of man who needed a Savior. Paul was the one who could speak with authority about the new way.
The light of heaven was upon his face as he faced the people. Festus told how the Jews had tried to kill Paul and how they brought charges against him.
Jesus had said; IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATES YOU..JOHN 15:18.
Paul was true to the Lord Jesus, so the world will hate him. Paul was energized by the Holy Ghost. Oh, that you and I might be able to say with Paul...I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST; NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME; AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH, I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME..GAL. 2:20.
Paul was rejoicing in the freedom of sins forgiven and liberty in Christ. Paul was the ambassador of the King who had freed him and who could free Agrippa from the awful effects of sin.
Paul’s plea to Agrippa to turn to Christ.
ACTS 26:2-3....I THINK MYSELF HAPPY, KING AGRIPPA, BECAUSE I SHALL ANSWER FOR MYSELF THIS DAY BEFORE THEE TOUCHING ALL THE THINGS WHEREOF I AM ACCUSED OF THE JEWS. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I KNOW THEE TO BE EXPERT IN ALL CUSTOMS AND QUESTIONS WHICH ARE AMONG THE JEWS; WHEREFORE I BESEECH THEE TO HEAR ME PATIENTLY.
Paul told Agrippa that he consider himself fortunate that day he was ask to defend himself before Agrippa from all the things the Jews accuse him of. Paul told agrippa that he knew so well all the Jewish customs and questions. Then Paul ask Agrippa to listen to him with his patience.
Paul knew that Agrippa understands what he is talking about. And that he was a intelligent man. Paul rejoices in the opportunity to speak to such an instructed man who will understand the true nature of the case.
Paul was well instructed in the Mosaic law, but Paul has met Christ. And now the law has a mew meaning for him. The soul of Paul was flood with the new light. And he see that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. He knew that God was good and that through Christ God is gracious. Paul wants king Agrippa to know this.
ACTS 26:1...THEN AGRIPPA SAID UNTO PAUL, THOU ART PERMITTED TO SPEAK FOR THYSELF. THEN PAUL STRETCHED FORTH THE HAND, AND ANSWERED FOR HIMSELF.
Agrippa told Paul that he had permission to speak on his behalf. And Paul stretched out his hand and defended himself in the rest of the lesson.
Paul before Agrippa was the high point in the entire ministry of Paul. This fulfilled the prophecy that he would stand before kings and rulers. I believe it was God’s will for Paul to come before Agrippa. Paul was not on trial. This was not a court trial. Paul was not making a defense before Agrippa. He was preaching the gospel. Paul was not trying to defend himself, but was trying to win them to God. I believe that this was a great opportunity for Paul to bring the Gospel.
Luke records in Acts 25:23..AND ON THE MORROW, WHERE AGRIPPA WAS COME, AND BERNICE, WITH GREAT POMP, AND WAS ENTERED INTO THE PLACE OF HEARING, WITH THE CHIEF CAPTAINS, AND PRINCIPAL MEN OF THE CITY, AT FESTUS’ COMMANDMENT PAUL WAS BROUGHT FORTH.
I trust that somehow we can picture this as we listen to the message of Paul. As the door came open, a prisoner in chains is brought in. Paul was dressed in the cloths of a prisoner and he was chain to two guards. This was the man who preached the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ for men because of the sin of man who needed a Savior. Paul was the one who could speak with authority about the new way.
The light of heaven was upon his face as he faced the people. Festus told how the Jews had tried to kill Paul and how they brought charges against him.
Jesus had said; IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATES YOU..JOHN 15:18.
Paul was true to the Lord Jesus, so the world will hate him. Paul was energized by the Holy Ghost. Oh, that you and I might be able to say with Paul...I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST; NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME; AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH, I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME..GAL. 2:20.
Paul was rejoicing in the freedom of sins forgiven and liberty in Christ. Paul was the ambassador of the King who had freed him and who could free Agrippa from the awful effects of sin.
Paul’s plea to Agrippa to turn to Christ.
ACTS 26:2-3....I THINK MYSELF HAPPY, KING AGRIPPA, BECAUSE I SHALL ANSWER FOR MYSELF THIS DAY BEFORE THEE TOUCHING ALL THE THINGS WHEREOF I AM ACCUSED OF THE JEWS. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I KNOW THEE TO BE EXPERT IN ALL CUSTOMS AND QUESTIONS WHICH ARE AMONG THE JEWS; WHEREFORE I BESEECH THEE TO HEAR ME PATIENTLY.
Paul told Agrippa that he consider himself fortunate that day he was ask to defend himself before Agrippa from all the things the Jews accuse him of. Paul told agrippa that he knew so well all the Jewish customs and questions. Then Paul ask Agrippa to listen to him with his patience.
Paul knew that Agrippa understands what he is talking about. And that he was a intelligent man. Paul rejoices in the opportunity to speak to such an instructed man who will understand the true nature of the case.
Paul was well instructed in the Mosaic law, but Paul has met Christ. And now the law has a mew meaning for him. The soul of Paul was flood with the new light. And he see that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. He knew that God was good and that through Christ God is gracious. Paul wants king Agrippa to know this.
