‘And Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence.' At this point Agrippa turned to Paul and gave him permission to put forward his defence against the charge that had not been made against him, and the accusations of the... [ Continue Reading ]
“I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before you this day touching all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.” Paul begins tactfu... [ Continue Reading ]
“My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the most strict sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” He first declares that all who... [ Continue Reading ]
And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God to our fathers, to which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the de... [ Continue Reading ]
“I truly thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and this I also did in Jerusalem. And I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. An... [ Continue Reading ]
“Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those who journeyed with me, and when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice sa... [ Continue Reading ]
“And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.' ” So he had asked for identification, for he could not conceive who this Lord was Who was speaking to him. For was he not himself obeying the voice of the Lord in persecuting the Christians? And the voice ha... [ Continue Reading ]
“But arise, and stand on your feet, for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things in which you have seen me, and of the things in which I will appear to you.” It was then that he had been given his commission. Like Ezekiel of old he was told to s... [ Continue Reading ]
“Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” He had then learne... [ Continue Reading ]
“Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared both to those of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. For this reason the... [ Continue Reading ]
“Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand, to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come, how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And as he thus made his defence, Festus says with a loud voice, “Paul, you are mad. Your great learning is turning you mad.” ' This reaction of Festus was probably a reaction to the suggestion that Jesus had been raised from the dead in order to proclaim light to both Jews and Gentiles. Resurrecti... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL IS DECLARED TO HAVE DONE NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH AND THUS TO HAVE CONFORMED TO THE LAW, BUT KING HEROD AGRIPPA II CLOSES HIS HEART AGAINST HIS WORDS (26:24-32).... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But Paul says, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but speak forth words of truth and soberness.” Paul then replies politely that he is not mad and that his words are both true and within reason. The word used for soberness is often used elsewhere in contrast with the idea of madness, as its opp... [ Continue Reading ]
“For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely, for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.” Indeed, he asserts, King Agrippa knows of these things. He knows that the Scriptures clearly teach the resurrection of the body... [ Continue Reading ]
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” Then he turns to challenge King Agrippa himself, and challenges him as to whether he believes the prophets. And he will not take no for an answer. He knows that the King believes the prophets. What then is going to be his respons... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Agrippa said to Paul, “With but little persuasion you would fain make me a Christian.” ' Agrippa was probably both taken aback (he was not expecting to be directly challenged) and amused. He could not believe that Paul really expected to win his response so quickly. And indeed the truth is tha... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Paul said, “I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not you only, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.” ' Paul's reply was from the heart. Apart from the chains in which he was standing, he wished that both the King and all who ha... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with them, and when they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” ' Then the king stood up, the indication that the event was now at an end. And following his act the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Agrippa said to Festus, “his man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.” ' So much so that Agrippa said to Festus that Paul might have been immediately set free, if he had not appealed to Caesar. This verdict by the man who could appoint and remove the High Priests o... [ Continue Reading ]