Good morning and welcome back winter!! Some snow on our deck and driveway but nothing major! It is spring in upstate NY!!
Today we get to hear Paul's side of things as he defends himself before Agrippa. Remember- Agrippa is the great grandson of the king who killed all the babies under 2 years old, the grandson of the man that beheaded John the Baptist and the son of the man who martyred James. The family lineage isn't too positive! Chapter 26 isn't very eventful and isn't very exciting, yet there is evidence that God is at work even in these mundane moments!
Paul says that he is "happy" to defend himself (v 2). Two reasons possibly- his case is finally being examined by the highest official in the area and second- he is able to preach the gospel to a king!
Paul begins with an outline of his high credentials (vv 4-8): a good Jew, a respected Pharisee, a rule follower- and he is still following his Jewish heritage. Paul comments at the close of this section (v 8), "Why do you think God can't raise people form the dead?" Agrippa as an expert in Jewish law and ethics, but he did not believe in resurrection. The point- if you (Agrippa) trust God in everything else, then why not resurrection?
Paul then goes on about his persecution of the Christians (vv 9- 11) and talks about his hatred and energy against the early Christians. Even to the point of going to other places to find them and bring them to Jerusalem for trial!
Paul retells his conversion story, in great detail. Paul is being obedient to Jesus as he is telling the story and witnessing about Jesus. He is definitely a truth teller in this story! This is a great story and I would have liked to hear Paul say it- I imagine it packed with emotion and passion. Paul mentions (v 20) that the gospel is for all people, including the Gentiles. And that is the only reason why Paul is being convicted (v 21)...the Jews arrested me because I was telling the Gentiles! Paul's work, and the Gospel, is based solely on what the prophets and Moses had talked about- so there can be no wrong. Paul ends with his three main preaching points (v 23):Christ would die, Christ would be resurrected, salvation is for all- Gentile or Jew.
Festus responds(v 24), "Paul, you're crazy!" In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul writes, "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." To people that don't/won't/can't believe in the Gospel- it probably does sound crazy! Paul counters (v 25) with truth and reason- "My words are true. I am not crazy." Paul then begins to address Agrippa and have him witness by asking him (v 27), "Didn't you believe?" Paul knew now was the time to drive home the point!
Agrippa responds (v 28), "You almost had me..." I see it as a sad commentary on Agrippa; he heard all the evidence and what Paul was saying and he "almost" converted. What stopped Agrippa? Why didn't he go all in? How far had he come prior to his hearing Paul's defense? Remember- he is seated next to Bernice- his sister, yet lover; he is seated next to Festus- who called Paul crazy for telling the Gospel story; he is surrounded by Roman guards who are ready for "action"; in front of him is Paul, in chains for his belief in God and Christ! Peer pressure for even the king!
Insert awkward silent reflection moment, maybe even with dramatic music playing in the background as Agrippa thinks about his response.
The verdict (v 31): not guilty! Agrippa sees no evidence in Paul's guilt- even though he may not agree with what Paul is saying. However, there is one small glitch...Paul requested an audience with Nero, and once requested, it cannot be retracted (v 32). Side note- "Caesar" is a title, not the actual name of the ruler at this point, and is the emperor of Rome; it happens to be Nero at this time in history. Paul may have been set free at this point, however, now he gets to preach to the Emperor of Rome!
Paul travels to Rome in chapter 27...and there is excitement!
Enjoy the weekend!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Well it started out sunny here in Philly but now overcast and expecting some rain later this am.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Paul is just happy to be out of bondage and "free" - just kidding. I am sure he is happy to state his case and get moving to Rome as God told him He wanted Paul to go. My notes in my study bible says that Paul is probably addressing everyone present when he says in vs. 8 "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" I am not sure how I would react to that fact if someone came along and told me that - oh, yes, this person was the Son of God and then performed many miracles and raised people from the dead.' Even if this person was someone I knew well and knew his past - as Paul says the Jews knew his - how quickly would I believe. What if this person who I knew very well came along today and told me they say Jesus and talked with Him and that the second coming was tomorrow? I believe in the Word in the Bible, but how quickly would I believe it was happening tomorrow? When I read vs. 23 where Paul says that Jesus was the first that should rise from the dead - I thought about all the people that Jesus raised from the dead and especially Elijah. so I did a LITTLE research and I read in a couple of different sources. One says Jesus was considered the first because it was His death that saved us from our sins and gave us life every lasting and another said that it was because he rose without any human intervention. Your thoughts Pastor????? Paul makes clear his background and beliefs - maybe so he could draw them all in to seeing the type of person who truly was - a proud Jew who believed in the prophets and the laws - and was only going a step further in what the prophets and Moses said -that the savior was not only coming but had arrived, was crucified and risen. In vs. 27 Paul asked if the king believed in the prophets, Agrippa was caught - if he said yes Paul could press him to recognize their fulfillment in Jesus but if he said No Agrippa would be in trouble with the devout Jews - who strongly believed in the message of the prophets. So Agrippa's said reply. "Almost." `But I love Paul's answer in vs 29 "....I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." I liked this speech that Paul did in his defense better then in Chapter 22. Maybe because it was in more detail and longer. But what irony - Paul punished, persecuted and went to great lengths to bring followers of the Way to jurisdiction for the very same thing that Paul is now using as his defense. How the world has changed for Paul and all those that hear him. But it was a GREAT speech - full of defense and accusations and questions. And what an ending - vs. 32 has Agrippa saying to Festus that Paul would have been free if only Paul had not appealed to Cesar. This seems like a mistake on Paul's part, but I think it was all meant to be - and Paul, being a Roman - maybe knew how it would all play out. After all, God tells Paul to take heart because God wants Paul to go to Rome. And now Paul is going to Rome in the safety of a Roman escort. Was it all meant to be? But in Rome, poor Paul.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
It's always sunny in Philadelphia!
DeleteI imagine his defense was presented to the entire "congregation:. I imagine it similar to our court cases today...prosecution and defense facing the judge- in this case Festus and Agrippa, with a large gallery behind. Possible entertainment value- possible interest at an execution coming!
Hmmm....interesting thoughts about resurrection. There are a few recorded resurrections- ELijah as you mention, but also Lazarus in John, Jarius' daughter in Mark and Matthew, the widow's son in Luke. Each of the four Gospels has Jesus performing a resurrection. So, Jesus was not the first resurrected. However, as you pointed out- he was the first that was resurrected without human intervention- I like that aspect. Oh yah, and we are saved because of his resurrection- not any of the others!!
Paul did what many people wold do- provide their background and give a short biography, so people could know where he was coming form and his beliefs.
I liked Paul's style- almost Jesus like- in asking the rhetorical questions!
The "mistake" of wanting to go to Rome to see Nero would allow him to preach to the emperor though! Actually, good thinking on his part!
Great thoughts and research! Thanks!
Paul defends himself by giving his life's history. He says he is a good Jew who has practiced what the prophets foretold of the coming of the Messiah. He tells of how he met Jesus on the road and that he was told by Jesus to spread the Word to the Jews and Gentiles.
ReplyDeleteFestus king Agrippa et all conferred and said they couldn't find Paul guilty of the charges. However since Paul had appealed to Caesar he must go to Rome and appear there. Isn't is amazing that God lead Paul and his comrades to Rome where he can spread the Word even farther. God does work in mysterious ways. we may not always know what God has in store for us but He leads us there anyway.
Snowed this morning on m daffodils but they are still surviving at least for a few more days.
Cindy, hope you are progressing from your surgery and improving daily.
Cathy, hope all is well.
Donna, enjoy time with your family.
Jack and Rhea, Hope all is well in Montana.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Paul did good by wanting to go to Rome to defend himself against Nero- this way he can preach to the emperor! God has ways to get the message out! God will continue to work through Paul, and us, to get the message of love and hope and peace to the people that need to hear it! We will continue!
DeleteGood thoughts! Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteClara, we are enjoying Montana and being with our three wonderful granddaughters. Our son, Dan is home for a few days. We think he has to go back (somewhere) on Tuesday. His last assignment was to drive some heavy equipment from North Dakota to somewhere in Pennsylvania. We don’t know where he goes next. Thank you for your well wishes. We both hope that you are well, also.
ReplyDeletePaul, tell Morgan and Bobby Jo that we are expecting snow here in Great Falls this coming Sunday. Don't know how much yet, just that it is going to be wintery.
I thought that this was an interesting chapter. It was interesting to hear how Saul persecuted early Christians and brought them to trial in Jerusalem. Then, he "saw the light" after being blinded and hearing the words of Jesus. Now, he, Paul, is on trial for the same charges that he was bringing the early Christians up on.
In our translation, the NIV, after hearing Paul's defense, Festus shouts at him: "You are out of your mind, Paul. Your great learning is driving you insane." We were both surprised by this outburst.
Paul's reply is to ask King Agrippa for his verdict. His opinion is more important the Festus's opinion since he is the King. Agrippa acquits Paul of all the charges, but, since Paul asked to be heard in Rome, he must go and stand trial in front of Nero.
I wonder if Paul thought that King Agrippa was going to convict him and that he thought he had better go on record as wanting an audience with Nero. Now that he has been acquitted, I wonder if Paul regrets asking for the Nero audience since he is still under arrest even after Agrippa's verdict.
We have a men's breakfast at the Great Falls First United Methodist Church this Sunday and I am planning on going. I think it will be before winter strikes again.
It is ironic that Paul is being tried for the same things he was persecuting! I guess I never thought of it that way!
DeleteFestus' response is probably something that others were thinking (and that we think of some people at times)..."Man, you are crazy with all those things you're saying!"
The interesting point is that when Paul turns to Agrippa, Agrippa really doesn't have authority for the case. He was there more as an expert "witness". I think Paul was smart in wanting to go to Rome and defend himself. This way he gets to preach to the emperor and the emperor is the one who decides the religion of the community!
Hope you enjoyed the breakfast!
Good thoughts Jack, thanks!
Paul is certainly a guy who likes to take chances. No guts, no glory? He sure had guts. Even the voyages at sea sound like they were very difficult and scary. Paul must feel that it’s worth pleading his case in front of Nero, that if he’s successful he will covert more people. He is certainly a brave man.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend everyone even if the weather is less than we are hoping for.
Hahaha! No guts- no glory! I love it! That definitely defines Paul's character!
ReplyDeletePaul's trip to Rome will have some big events and he is lucky to make it alive to Rome! When in Rome- he will get to preach to the emperor- something that I am sure he is excited and passionate about!
Thanks Cathy!