Acts - Week 79

Week 79 Acts 26 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 26:1-3 

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.” So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently! 

Paul now gets the opportunity to present his case to King Agrippa. Paul graciously addressed the king and referred to him as being “an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies.” This would mean the king knows what the Jewish system of religious laws require and how they relate or do not relate to the laws of the Roman Empire.  

REFLECT 

Consider Paul’s example of being gracious to an authority even though you realize you are at his mercy. Plus, the need to emphasize what can be helpful in presenting a defense. 

RESPOND 

As you begin this week of focusing on Acts, talk with your disciple about the proper respect for government authorities even if you disagree with their policies. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 26:4-5 

4 “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 

Paul began his defense by talking about his background. He pointed out that the Jews would agree—if they would be willing to—that he had lived as a Pharisee, the strictest sect of the Jewish religion. These comments revealed Paul’s commitment to the Jewish religion that no one should question. This needed to be pointed out because some were accusing him of not understanding the requirements of the Jewish laws. 

REFLECT 

You are a believer now if you have trusted in Jesus as Savior. Are there those who do not think you understand what it was like to live as an unbeliever? 

RESPOND 

Read together Psalm 25:6-8 that urges the Lord not to remember the sins of one’s youth. Thank the Lord for His grace and forgiveness made available for all who believe when He died on the cross. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 26:6-8 

6 Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7 In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! 8 Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead? 

Paul said he was now accused for following “the promise made by God to our fathers.” This would have been exceedingly important to Jewish listeners who so greatly respected their ancestors. Paul addressed the main issue when he asked whywould King Agrippa or anyone think it “incredible . . . that God can raise the dead?” The Jews were willing to listen to one talk about the life of Jesus and even His death, but not His resurrection. 

REFLECT 

Is the importance of the resurrection of Jesus being implanted on your mind? The gospel message is empty without this significant truth. 

RESPOND 

Although referred to before, in this context it is important to reread 1 Corinthians 15:1-9. These verses reveal what the gospel is and the more than 500 eyewitnesses who could have been asked about it at the time Paul was writing this passage in A.D. 55. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 26:9-11 

9 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities. 

Paul contrasted the works of Judaism with the grace of God. Before his conversion he was doing good works and persecuting those who believed in the grace of God. He even gave approval when Christ-followers were put to death.  Many times he punished them in every synagogue and forced them to blaspheme. These words were likely pleasing to the Jewish unbelievers present because they thought this was what ought to be done to those who believed in the resurrected Messiah.  

REFLECT 

Think of all the horrible things Paul did to believers before he was converted on the road to Damascus. All the specifics were still in his mind as he told King Agrippa and others about them. 

RESPOND 

Read Philippians 3:5-14 to see what Paul thought about his past life. Now he wanted to forget about the past and focus on knowing Jesus. Talk with your disciple about following his example. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 26:12-14 

12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ 

Paul told King Agrippa and the many others present about when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul also had witnesses of his experience. The others heard the noise but did not understand the message as he did (see Acts 9:7). This voice wanted to know why Saul was persecuting Him. This must have caused those listening to Paul’s testimony now to wonder what occurred in this experience he had. 

REFLECT 

Be reminded again that Jesus considers those persecuting His followers as really persecuting Him. This should comfort believers to know this. 

RESPOND 

In the New Testament “suffering” usually dealt with suffering for being a Christ-follower not just some physical problem. Read 1 Peter 1:6-7 to see what Peter wrote to those who suffered for Christ. Pray for those in the world today who are being persecuted for knowing Him.