Acts 26
-Paul makes his
defense before Agrippa and Festus pointing out Agrippa’s vast knowledge (Acts
26:3) and faith in Judaism (Acts 26:27) and recounting his testimony as he
himself turned to Christ. This defense was convincing and almost persuaded
Agrippa to become a Christian it appears from the text. Paul would have been
let go had it not been for his appeal to Caesar (Acts 26:32). They concluded he
had done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment (Acts 26:31).
-Some interesting words of Christ are given in this third
detailed account of Paul’s Damascus road conversion. God called Paul and sent
him “to open their eyes so that they (Jews and Gentiles) may turn from darkness
to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by
faith in Me (Acts 26:18).” There is some great theology in this statement by
Jesus. First, there must be recognition of our depravity before a living, holy,
and righteous God. Our sin is great and separates us from the God who
illuminates us in His light and His control (dominion). Repentance (a turning,
a changing of the mind, a new direction in life) must occur for us to begin to
inherit the Lord’s salvation and receive forgiveness of the terrible and
horrible sins we have committed that tear us apart from the God who loves us
(John 3:16). The crucial last step is sanctification (a setting apart, a making
holy), which happens as a result of our faith in Christ Jesus’ atonement based
on His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection (faith is only as good as
the object it is placed in). Christ gave Paul this message upon revealing
Himself to him along that Damascus road and Paul was faithful to preach it
everywhere he went after receiving it. *Application* Have you been saved and
sanctified? Have you turned from the darkness of Satan’s dominion to the light
of the Lord’s authority? Have you believed in Him?
-*Application* Some people might think we are crazy as
Festus did with Paul. But the facts of the gospel stand and the resurrection
gives us power to hope in a bright future for all eternity. Paul’s hope was for
all to be as he was as a believer (Acts 26:29). Let us also tell the good news of
Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.
Verses to Memorize:
Acts 26:18, 29
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