Another chance to witness

Acts 26:1-32; 6/23/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang

Introduction

Going to Rome is a vision, and witnessing for the Lord is a mission.  Now, Paul had another opportunity to witness, an opportunity that came with the arrival of King Agrippa.  Let’s look at the first point:

 Reasons for being allowed to sub-complaint

On his way to Rome, Paul wanted to use the opportunity to witness for the Lord to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by God.  First of all, it is not strange to give courtesy to people. What attitude should Christians have when facing powerful people? Fear, flattery, bribery, or even complicity?  These are all things that dishonor and displease God!  However, is it necessary to be angry, confrontational, and irreconcilable?  Obviously not!  Today’s scripture gives a principle, which is the principle of politeness.  King Agrippa received authority from the governor of Festus to allow Paul to conduct this informal hearing.  Paul showed courtesy by extending his hand, that is, saluting.  From Chapter 22, verse 3-21, and Chapter 24, verse 10-21 to the present, this is Paul’s third self-appeal.

Secondly, the reason for being accused.  Paul tried to explain to Agrippa why the Jews wanted to prosecute him.  It all stemmed from a hope that all Jews had from ancient times, which came from God.  This hope is the identity and mission of the elect that came from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which is to make all nations know God through the people of Israel.  As King Agrippa appointed by God, I am really grateful that you came to listen to my case today. Because you understand Jewish culture, history, and beliefs.  And you can also understand my background from my Jewish background, especially my background as a Pharisee in the past. Language, culture, religion, etc., will greatly enhance the communication between us.

Finally, the resurrection is credible.  \However, where I disagree with the high priest and others is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  In fact, there is nothing difficult about believing in the resurrection of the dead.  The hard thing is to believe that it was Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose from the dead.  Why?  Because only when He was resurrected from the dead can we have hope of resurrection.  Wasn’t Lazarus resurrected?  There are also many stories and even records about resurrection in history.  However, only the resurrection of Jesus is the eternal resurrection, the resurrection from death to life, and the resurrection that shatters the power of death.  It is also the only standard or test that distinguishes Christianity from other religions.  Therefore, the resurrection is the only link God has to Christ through the promises given to Abraham.  Let’s look at the second point:

 Touching testimony of true feelings

Paul’s testimony tells his own story, so it is moving to read.  Because everything he said was true, everything Paul said was easy for others to verify.  First, he persecuted the Lord Jesus in the past.  The person who said that Paul persecuted the Lord was none other than the Lord Jesus Himself.  Here we are told one thing: persecuting Christians means persecuting the Lord Jesus.  This is a manifestation of warning, retribution, curse, and punishment to those who have persecuted God’s children throughout the ages.  Paul personally testified that at that time,   Christians were imprisoned, tortured, killed and convicted many times, and blasphemed the name of the Lord!  Paul gained authority from the chief priests and became so powerful and domineering that the brothers and sisters in the early church became frightened when they heard Paul’s name.  Perhaps King Agrippa had heard of Paul’s reputation to some extent, but was just curious as to why Paul changed his ways and changed his lintel?

Secondly, meet the Lord in the great light. Paul continued: “At that time, I received authority and command from the chief priests and went to Damascus.” Damascus is the capital of Syria today.  The distance from Jerusalem to Damascus is equivalent to the distance from Dallas to Houston, about 350 kilometers.  Setting off in the morning, around afternoon, Paul encountered a great light.  Why is it said to be a great light?  Paul discovered that this light   “ I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. ”  Not only that, but a voice said to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  I said, Lord, who are you?  The Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you persecute!  King Agrippa, this is like a bolt from the blue to me, Paul!

Finally, life is turned back to God.  The self-righteousness I had received from the high priest was now completely reversed!  It turns out that all the glory, wealth, reputation, status, recognition, etc. in the world are nothing but garbage!  From now on, it is my life mission as Paul to bear witness for God.  The Lord is my Emmanuel, and He will help me escape from the hands of the people and the Gentiles.  God will send me to the Gentiles to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.  And through faith in me you receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance with all those who are sanctified.  These words can be said to be a reversal of Paul’s mission statement and core values ​​throughout his life.   Encourage every brother and sister to pray, seek and write out their own life mission statement and core values.  Let’s look at the third point:

Argue with reasons to go to Rome

Going to Rome was still the vision Paul received from God at this moment.  Paul said:  “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” First, revisit the mission statement.  Paul said:   “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.  (Acts 26:20)”  At this point in this sermon, we may have to go back to what Jesus said inActs 1:8:  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Have you seen the continuity in the Acts of the Holy Spirit? Paul lived out the mission of the Lord Jesus in chapter 1 verse 8 throughout his life and applied it to his daily life.

Secondly, speak truthfully and plainly.  Paul should have been filled with the Holy Spirit at this time, and his tone was somewhat passionate.  He said:  “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”  The God we believe in is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob!  Don’t the Jews know all this?  Now that they knew it, why did the Jews seize me in the temple and try to kill me?  In fact, the entire Bible points to Jesus Christ, that is, Christ must suffer and be resurrected from the dead to first preach the word of light to the people and the Gentiles.

In the end, finally going to Rome.  Paul’s testimony can be said to be earth-shattering and mind-blowing.  It’s just that most of the listeners and spectators present didn’t understand, and it was a pity that they seemed to be casting pearls before swine.  Agrippa said: “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”  This is where the word Christian comes from.  Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who were sitting with him stood up, retired inside, and talked among themselves, saying:  “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”  The conclusion that Paul was not guilty was firmly established here.  However, the king, the governor and other dignitaries ignored the gospel.  The Bible says that Agrippa also said to Festus,  “If this man had not appealed to Caesar, he would have been released.”  God once again lets us see His control and authority.  He said that Paul should go to Rome, and things would come true step by step!

Conclusion

Thank God!  Paul had another opportunity to witness for the Lord.  In order for Paul to continue to go to Rome to bear witness for the Lord, God used the governor, King Herod, and a group of dignitaries to stand up for Paul.  God testified for Paul through the mouth of King Agrippa that Paul was not guilty. However, they sadly passed by the gospel.  Paul continued on to Rome, on the road to his mission.

Let us pray……

 

Acts 26:1-32

 1 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.

12 “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.  ‘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.”