Acts 26 - Introduction

THE BOOK OF ACTS. CHAPTER 26

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY. MARK DUNAGAN

I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 26:

I. Paul's defense before King Agrippa: Acts 26:1-29

A. Introduction: Acts 26:1-3

B. Paul's well known past in Judaism: Acts 26:4-11

C. The events on the road to Damascus: Acts 26:12-15

D. His commission from Jesus: Acts 26:16-18

E. His fulfillment of that Commission: Acts 26:19-23

II. Festus interrupts and Paul's response: Acts 26:24-26

III. Personal question to King Agrippa and his response: Acts 26:27-29

IV. Aftermath: Acts 26:30-32

The chain of events which resulted in this defense before King Agrippa, started back in Acts 21:27. When Paul was in Jerusalem, he was accused of bringing Gentiles into the Temple (Acts 21:28-29), and he was rescued from the Jewish mob by observant Roman soldiers (Acts 21:31). Because of. plot that was being laid by the Jews (Acts 23:12-21) in Jerusalem, Paul was moved to Caesarea (Acts 23:23ff), and thus came into the care of the Roman Governor Felix. Paul will remain under arrest in Caesarea for two years (Acts 24:27). Porcius Festus replaces Felix as governor of Judea in Acts 24:27. The Jews then try to persuade the new Roman governor to bring Paul to Jerusalem, but. trial is held at Caesarea, in which Paul appeals that the proper venue for his case to be heard is before Caesar himself (Acts 25:11). Festus has found himself with. prisoner, whose case perplexes him (Acts 25:25-27). He needs to write. letter to the emperor that will explain Paul's case or accusations against him and he finds himself at. loss of words concerning what to write. When King Agrippa and Bernice arrive at Caesarea (Acts 25:13), Festus finds an ideal person to hear Paul's case (Acts 25:14ff). King Agrippa is intrigued by what Festus tells him and wishes to hear the case himself (Acts 25:22). Acts 25:23 informs us that Paul will stand before. grand audience (Acts 25:23). The "place of hearing" mentioned in Acts 25:23 probably refers to the "audience room" in which the governor would receive visitors of state. What immediately impresses me about Paul's speech in this chapter is that Paul is not bitter. False charges have been trumped up against him and Felix should have released him but had kept him in prison as. favor to the Jews (Acts 24:27). Yet Paul is still polite, positive, persuasive and zealous in trying to convert this King.