This chapter marks the climax of his trials before heading to Rome. In one sense it should be a somewhat scary situation for Paul, but just the opposite is true: Paul is very bold and confident knowing that God is with him and that this is part of God's plan.
Paul again gives an account of his life and dramatic conversion, giving details here that he hasn't before. Just to state the obvious, this shows the importance and value of telling others what God has done for us - our testimony - when speaking about Jesus Christ. If you think about it this way, in this relatively short book, details of Paul's conversion are presented at least three times. Luke could have simply summarized the second and third with a statement like "Paul spoke again about how Jesus changed his life" but instead writes out the details, underscoring the importance.
Paul also speaks boldly both about forgiveness that is in Christ Jesus and that Jesus suffered and rose from the dead according to the prophecies of Scripture and is now the hope of both Jew and Gentile.
Festus reacts quite strongly about the resurrection of the dead saying that Paul is crazy. Today people don't generally react to the resurrection of Jesus this way, possibly because they've heard the claim about Jesus raising from the dead before. Certainly most unbelievers don't believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead but the reaction is quite different from Festus. I'd like to understand why that difference exists. Some other possible reasons 1) In Paul's situation he is referring to a very recent event versus an event 2000 years prior - it is perhaps easier for people to dismiss as untrue due to the time lapse. 2) People have become accustomed to stories about people coming back to life - some who weren't all the way dead like in a hospital - some in movies or books where CGI and other effects can tell a powerful story - so people dismiss it as either not really rising from the dead or as just another story. It probably varies from person to person. But because of the centrality and importance of Jesus rising from the dead, I think we need to understand the roadblocks and be able to clearly communicate the reality and truth of the resurrection. It isn't just a story but it is real and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you and I can have new life in him!
Lord Jesus, please give me wisdom and understanding as I speak to those around me so that I can effectively communicate your love and the fact of your resurrection. Please also give me boldness when speaking about what you've done in my life and how you provide forgiveness of sins and the hope of new life.
It is interesting how Paul presses Agrippa on whether he believes and Agrippa responds that it is too short of a time for him to believe. Paul then proclaims to Agrippa and to all in the area that he wishes that all where like him in believing in Jesus Christ, except without the chains :) Paul recognizes that he is not just speaking to Agrippa, but to the soldiers, attendants and all who were in the area. He speaks boldly and convincingly.
Lord Jesus, please help us to remember that our lives are being watched by not just those who we are speaking to but to those around us. Help us to live in an awareness to you and let us be your ambassadors and witnesses at all times and in all places.
Paul again gives an account of his life and dramatic conversion, giving details here that he hasn't before. Just to state the obvious, this shows the importance and value of telling others what God has done for us - our testimony - when speaking about Jesus Christ. If you think about it this way, in this relatively short book, details of Paul's conversion are presented at least three times. Luke could have simply summarized the second and third with a statement like "Paul spoke again about how Jesus changed his life" but instead writes out the details, underscoring the importance.
Paul also speaks boldly both about forgiveness that is in Christ Jesus and that Jesus suffered and rose from the dead according to the prophecies of Scripture and is now the hope of both Jew and Gentile.
Festus reacts quite strongly about the resurrection of the dead saying that Paul is crazy. Today people don't generally react to the resurrection of Jesus this way, possibly because they've heard the claim about Jesus raising from the dead before. Certainly most unbelievers don't believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead but the reaction is quite different from Festus. I'd like to understand why that difference exists. Some other possible reasons 1) In Paul's situation he is referring to a very recent event versus an event 2000 years prior - it is perhaps easier for people to dismiss as untrue due to the time lapse. 2) People have become accustomed to stories about people coming back to life - some who weren't all the way dead like in a hospital - some in movies or books where CGI and other effects can tell a powerful story - so people dismiss it as either not really rising from the dead or as just another story. It probably varies from person to person. But because of the centrality and importance of Jesus rising from the dead, I think we need to understand the roadblocks and be able to clearly communicate the reality and truth of the resurrection. It isn't just a story but it is real and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you and I can have new life in him!
Lord Jesus, please give me wisdom and understanding as I speak to those around me so that I can effectively communicate your love and the fact of your resurrection. Please also give me boldness when speaking about what you've done in my life and how you provide forgiveness of sins and the hope of new life.
It is interesting how Paul presses Agrippa on whether he believes and Agrippa responds that it is too short of a time for him to believe. Paul then proclaims to Agrippa and to all in the area that he wishes that all where like him in believing in Jesus Christ, except without the chains :) Paul recognizes that he is not just speaking to Agrippa, but to the soldiers, attendants and all who were in the area. He speaks boldly and convincingly.
Lord Jesus, please help us to remember that our lives are being watched by not just those who we are speaking to but to those around us. Help us to live in an awareness to you and let us be your ambassadors and witnesses at all times and in all places.
As I was reading about King Agrippa, I was reminding his sculpture is famous to be used for sketching object in Art.
ReplyDeleteAs Paul was traveling lots of places, he gave many descriptions over the current Greek and Rome area.
It was fun and I was curious about their life and history in the book of Acts age.
That's where Roman Catholic and Greek church started and after that the current type of church had been settled in England.
I thank you Father for leading Paul to do the amazing work in the missionary in that land to make strong foundation for current church.
So, Now Paul is heading to Caesars in Rome to spread the Gospel there!
King Agrippa and the high ranking officers agreed that Paul was not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment and he could be set free. I think this means preaching the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and salvation wasn’t against the laws of Roman, and the environment for preaching the gospel in the regions governed by Roman might become better at that time even though some Jewish people persecuted Christians.
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus, I pray you can also provide a better environment for preaching the gospel in my country and other nations, and help government leaders and policy makers make righteous laws about the freedom of faith. I know that accepting you as our savior and repenting of our sins is a personal decision and not related to the outside environment, but in a better environment more people will have opportunities to know you. Lord Jesus, if you are willing please give me and other believers opportunities to preach the gospel to people who are in government authorities.