The Pilgrim Path---Acts 26: 1, 4 – 11

So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 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. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by the Jews, O King! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 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. 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.”

“I PERSECUTED THEM EVEN TO FOREIGN CITIES”

What a picture Paul paints for Agrippa and Bernice. It is rather gripping (his drama) in just the first few scenes. Paul points out that he spent his childhood in a serious Jewish environment---and did not waver from it. This laid the groundwork for him becoming part of one of Israel’s most influential religious sects---the Pharisees (he had no peer). No doubt he was the strictest of the strict. But he ended up on trial because he had “encountered” the hope of Israel in human form---and he could not be silent. Paul says---“Certainly no one thinks GOD would have trouble raising the dead?---this is why I’m in trouble? For proclaiming the HOPE of Israel?”

Paul lets the Royal pair know that he had been a stone-cold assailant of all who disagreed with the prevailing view of Judaism in his day (“No,” to Jesus as the Messiah). He sought them out with a blood thirsty vengeance. Certainly, he was fulfilling the will of the LORD God Almighty in requiring “their” apprehension? He hated the Sect of the Nazarenes! We fail to appreciate at times that Saul of Tarsus was a zealous---disastrous threat to the early Christian Church. There was no greater human agent of harm to the survival of the early Church than Saul! He was a dangerous and calculating enemy of these individuals. Saul (Paul) felt they must be eliminated from the world. The only thing that could change him would be an encounter with the Prince of Life (Jesus). Paul wanted Agrippa and Bernice to understand that as spiritually dead as he was---as religious (and mean) as he was---The Living Savior changed him! The Royal pair needed to know “as sick” as they were as humans (spiritually)--- even the Living Christ could change them! Paul is “all about” offering hope amid darkness. What an example he is to us!

From John Duncan: He will damn you whatever you do, unless he save you of mere grace---there is no other way for you or me.

From Samuel Rutherford: Wants are our best riches, for I have these supplied by Christ.

From Corrie ten Boom: Do you feel insecure when you talk to learned people about Jesus? They can ask such difficult questions! It is not your job to be wise. God has all the answers, not man. Be content to be an open channel for the Spirit of God. Be obedient and He will give you what you need to be victorious.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason