Today’s passage: Acts 26:1-32
Helpful thoughts:
- Paul has referred a couple times in the previous chapters to the Pharisees’ belief in resurrection. One of the points he makes is that all the Pharisees should believe Jesus is the promised Messiah because He rose from the dead. He is who they were waiting for!
- The way Paul communicates this in the first eight verses show he is aware of just how much Agrippa knows about the Jews.
- Part of Paul’s defense was his zeal to persecute the church. He did not believe in Jesus. He was working fervently against the church. This adds to the evidence of his conversion.
- People who want to believe something are easy to convince. Paul did not want to believe.
- Paul had two goals in his defense. The lesser goal of proving his innocence and the greater goal of leading Agrippa to Christ.
Questions to consider:
- How was this evangelism opportunity different than the one on Mar’s Hill in Athens? Who was Paul leading to Christ? What did they already know?
- How were the responses of Festus and Agrippa similar to the responses in Acts 17:32-34? They way people will respond can often make us hesitate to share the Gospel. We may feel like we won’t have all the answers for that person. But, what has God called us to do? What part of evangelism is our responsibility (And privilege)? Did Paul always have all the answers that would make everyone believe?
- What opportunities might God be giving you with the people you know to share the gospel? What could help us to have our eyes out for opportunities and be ready when they come?