Lesson 32:Paul’s Defense Before King Agrippa& Leading Dignitaries (26:1-32)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul greeted King Agrippa as he began his defense (26:1-3).1. As the Lord promised almost 25 years earlier (9:15), Paul

was testifying before a king.2. Receiving permission to speak, Paul happily began his

defense (Gk, apologeomai).3. Agrippa was an “expert” in the laws, practices and issues

of the Jews (26:3).4. Paul begged Agrippa to hear “patiently” (compound

Greek word: “long” + “temper”).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Paul rehearsed his early life contrasted with his present struggles with the Jews (26:4-8).1. Paul affirmed that he was raised & taught among the Jews

and they knew it (26:4-5).2. Paul affirmed that the hope of the resurrection was the

reason he was on trial (6-8).

I.

A. The promised hope that sustains every Christian is that God raises the dead!1. “It is appointed for men to die once” (Heb. 9:27). If that’s all

there is, there’s no hope!2. Christ is “our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1)! Having been raised from the

dead by the power of God (Rom. 1:4) to live in us (Gal. 2:20), Christ is “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

3. As Christ was “the first to rise from the dead” (26:23), others would, too (1 Cor. 15).

4. “We were saved in this hope” (Rom. 8:24), that we will be raised from the dead!

5. We have the “hope of eternal life,” “promised” by God, “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Paul rehearsed his zealous persecution of the church and the Christian way (26:9-11).1. Paul was not predisposed toward Christianity in any way

before his conversion!2. His persecution of the “saints” (i.e., living disciples of

Christ) was notoriously evil!3. The accusing Jews had forgotten that Paul was once

Christianity’s greatest enemy!

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Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Paul rehearsed his encounter with Jesus and his conversion to Christianity (26:12-18).1. The conversion of Paul is found three times in the book of

Acts (chapters 9, 22, 26).2. When Paul encountered Jesus, he was on his way to

persecute the church (26:12).3. At noon (22:6), “a light brighter than the sun” demanded

Paul’s attention (26:13).

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B. Conversion is not a single-act event but a series of steps clearly delineated by God!1. To be converted, people must “open their eyes” to gospel

(26:18)—by faith (26:18b).2. To be converted, people must “turn from” sin (26:18)—

when they “repent” (26:20).3. To be converted, people must “turn to” God (26:20)—in

baptism (3:19; 11:21).4. To stay converted, people must “do works befitting [their]

repentance” (26:20).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

C. Through obedience and conversion to Christ, one obtains all of His blessed promises!1. “Forgiveness of sins” (26:18)—the guilt of sins, separating

us from God, is removed.2. “An inheritance” (26:18)—the promise of eternal life is

granted (cf. Eph. 1:11).3. “Sanctified” (26:18)—one is made holy, set apart for

service to God (cf. Eph. 5:25-26).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

E. Paul rehearsed his response to the vision and his preaching to the Gentiles (26:19-23).1. Paul was persuaded by the evidence he saw on the road—

hoping the king would be.2. Paul’s preaching included God’s plan of salvation, step-by-

step (26:20).3. Paul’s preaching was not hostile toward the O.T. but rather

built on it (26:22-23). 4. Paul’s preaching was merely the work of the Lord through

him (26:23; cf. v. 18).

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Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

F. Paul’s defense compelled very different responses but a united decision (26:24-32).1. Paul boldly spoke “truth & reason” (26:25)—words which

call for rational response.2. Festus was unwilling to be convinced: “Paul, you are mad

(Gk, mania)!” (26:24).3. Agrippa already “knew” (26:26) and “believed” (26:27) the

content of the message.4. As with each of his previous judges, King Agrippa and the

dignitaries concluded that Paul had done “nothing deserving of death” (26:31; cf. 23:9, 29; 24:22; 25:11, 25).

5. However, their united (and unavoidable) decision was to send him to Caesar (26:32).

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D. “Becoming altogether a Christian” requires that one be altogether persuaded!1. The name “Christian” is found only 3 times in the N.T. –Acts

11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16.2. By believing alone, one does not “become a Christian”!

Agrippa believed (26:27).3. One “becomes a Christian” when he is fully persuaded by

the evidence (26:28), repents (26:20) and is baptized to become a disciple/Christian (11:26 + Mt. 28:20).

4. One who is “altogether a Christian” lives that way every day, even when it’s not easy!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

G. Paul’s arrest, his trials and his defense are given considerable space in the book of Acts.1. This one event (or series of events) opened the door for the

gospel throughout Rome.2. This one event (or series of events) took the gospel to the

highest ruler on earth.3. This one event (or series of events) helped to validate the

Christian religion.

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A. When we have opportunity to defend the faith, let us do so happily and confidently!

B. Following one’s heart to do what he thinks is right is a recipe for disaster and death!

C. Let us not be disobedient to the revelation of God’s will for our lives!

D. Let us help others to open their eyes, turn from sin, turn to God and do faithful works!

E. Let us strive to be “altogether Christians” and not merely “close enough” Christians!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives