Acts Chapter 26

Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa/Festus

Paul had already made his defense to Festus (25:6-12), so now he will address Agrippa. Furthermore the purpose of the speech was for Agrippa information. When given the cue by Agrippa Paul stretched out his hands and began a recital of his Christian experience. First, he expressed gratitude that he was permitted to present his case before one who, being a Jew was conversant with the customs and questions which prevailed among the Jewish people. In his early life, Paul was an exemplary Jew. The Jews would have to admit, if only they were willing to testify, that Paul had followed a pathway of the strictest orthodoxy being a consistence Pharisee. Now he was on trial for no greater crime than the fact that he clung to the hope of the promise made by God to the Jewish fathers in the Old Testament.

The flow of Paul’s argument here seems to be as follows: in the Old Testament God made various covenants with the leaders of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon. The principle covenant had to do with the promise of the Messiah, his coming to deliver the nation of Israel and to reign over the earth. The Patriarchs of the Old Testament died without seeing the fulfillment of this promise. Does this mean that God would not carry out the terms of the covenants? He would assuredly do so! But how could He do it when the fathers are already dead? The answer is “by raising them from the dead.” thus , in a very direct way, Paul links the promises made to the Old Testament saints with the resurrection of the dead.

Paul pictured the twelve tribes of Israel as earnestly and ceaselessly serving God, hoping to see the promises fulfilled. This reference to the twelve tribes is important in view of the current teaching that ten of the tribes of Israel have been lost since the captivity. Though they were scattered among the Gentile nations, Paul saw them as a distinct people, serving God and looking for the promised deliverer. This was Paul’s crime! He believed that God would fulfill his promise to the fathers by raising them from the dead. What was so incredible about this? Paul asked Agrippa and all those who were with him.

Reverting to the story of his life, Paul recounted the savage and committed campaign he waged against the followers of the Christian faith. With all his strength he opposed the name of Jesus of Nazareth. With authority from the chief priest, he imprisoned many of the Christians in Jerusalem. When they stood before the Sanhedrin, he gladly cast a vote against them. Over and over again he arranged punishment for those whom he found in every Synagogue, and he did all he could to force them to deny their Lord. (When it says that he compelled them to “blaspheme” it does not mean he was successful, but he tried to do it). Paul’s hate campaign against the Christians had overflowed from Jerusalem and Judea to foreign cities.

Paul once again recounts his conversion. It was while he was on one of these foreign expeditions that a transforming experience occurred in his life. He was en route to Damascus, equipped with official papers authorizing him to arrest the Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. At midday he was overcome by a vision of glory. A light from heaven shone upon him, brighter than the midday sun. After he had fallen from his beast, and to the ground, he heard a voice asking him this probing question: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (ox goads). These were sharp pointed instruments used to force stubborn animals to move along. Paul was kicking against the goads of his own conscience, but even more important, against the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit. He was fighting against God himself. Paul asked, “Who art thou Lord?” The voice answered. “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” Jesus? How could that be? Hadn’t Jesus been crucified and buried? The truth quickly dawned on Paul’s soul. Jesus had indeed been buried, but He had risen from the dead! He had ascended back to heaven, from where He was now speaking to Paul.

Next Paul gives a condensed summary of the commission which was given to him by the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He was told to rise and stand on his feet. He had this special revelation of Christ in glory because he was appointed to be a servant of the Lord and a witness of all he had seen that day and all of the great truths of the Christian faith which would be made known to him. The promise that Paul would be delivered from the Jewish people and the Gentiles must be understood as meaning deliverance in general until his work was done.

Paul would be sent especially to the Gentiles to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Through faith in the Lord Jesus they would receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who are sanctified. Having been thus commissioned, Paul explains to Agrippa that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Both in Damascus and in Jerusalem, throughout all of Judea and then to the Gentiles Paul preached to men that they should repent and turn to God, doing works that prove the reality of their repentance.

Paul states that this is what he was doing when the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him. But God had given him protection and help, and he continued to testify to all with whom he came in contact, preaching the message which the Prophets and Moses preached in the Old Testament. The message was that the Messiah would suffer, that he would be the first to rise from the dead, and that he would show light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.

Being a Gentile, Festus failed completely to understand any of Paul’s argument. He accused Paul of being mad (crazy) as a result of too much learning. With no trace of irritation or temper, Paul simply and quietly denied the charge and emphasized that his words were those of truth and reason. Paul expressed confidence that the king knew the truth of what he had been saying. Paul’s life and testimony had not been a secret. The Jews knew all about it, and doubtless the report had reached Agrippa.

Addressing the king directly, Paul asked “king Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? Then Paul answered his own question, “I know that thou believest.” The force of the argument is unmistakable. Paul was saying in effect, I believe all that the prophets said in the Old Testament. You too believe their testimony, don’t you, Agrippa? How then can the Jews accuse me of a crime deserving of death? Or how could you condemn me for believing what you yourself believe?

That Agrippa felt the force of Paul’s words is indicated by his sarcastic remark “almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”. Whether Agrippa was speaking in sincerity or in jest, Paul answered with deadly earnestness. He expressed the fervent wish that whether with little persuasion or with much, both Agrippa and all others present might enter into the joys and blessings of the Christian life, that they might share all Paul’s privileges, that they might become like him except for the chains. After conferring together they were all forced to admit that Paul had done nothing deserving of death or chains. Perhaps with a little tinge of regret, Agrippa said to Festus, if Paul had not appealed to Caesar he might have been set free. At this point we naturally wonder why the appeal to Caesar could not be cancelled. Whether or not such an appeal was unalterable, we do know that it was God’s purpose that the Apostle to the Gentiles should go to Rome for the trial before Caesar.

Questions/Answers?
Who were the ten lost tribes of Israel?

After the death of Solomon the kingdom spilt into two kingdoms. The southern kingdom consisted of Judah and Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. The northern kingdom was comprised the other ten tribes which was centered around Samaria and Israel. Because of their sins the Assyrians in 722 B.C. took them into captivity. Historians have debated as to what happened to the ten lost tribes down through history with no right or wrong conclusion (See II kings chapter 17).

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Acts Chapter 11

Peter Justifies His Ministry to the Gentiles

The news that Peter had preached to Cornelius’s household and won them to Christ spread quickly throughout the churches of Judea. Peter was called back to Jerusalem to explain to those of the “circumcision” (Jews), who had become offended. They sharply criticized Peter. The charge against Peter was simply “you who are a devout and faithful Jew was associating and eating with the unclean Gentiles”. Peter simply summarized the whole event leading up to association with Cornelius and his household. Peter explained that it was the will of God that Gentiles are to be considered clean and that he was to preach Christ to them. He testified that when the Gentiles heard the message of Christ, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on the Jews on the day of Pentecost. In conclusion, Peter justified his ministry to the Gentiles by arguing that he did not dare to “withstand God”. The intellectual questions ended and the theological discussion stopped with the report that God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. They rejoiced in the Lord. This was a major turning point for the early church. They had to accept those whom God had chosen, even if they were Gentiles.

The wave of disciples that fled Jerusalem after the death of Stephen (Acts 7:59) confined their ministry to the Jews. They made converts in Phoenicia (on the Mediterranean coast north of Palestine), Cyprus (a large Mediterranean island west of Palestine), and Antioch (a city in Syria, north of Palestine). After God led Peter to share the gospel with Cornelius, other disciples began to seek out Gentile audiences. Some of the Jews won to Christ in Cyrus and Cyrene (a city on the North African coast of the Mediterranean, west of Egypt) came to Antioch where Jewish churches already existed. But now that the gospel had broken down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, the newcomers saw a need to evangelize the Greeks. They sought them out and gave them the gospel. Through the power of God, many believed. Almost overnight, a strictly Jewish church became a church with perhaps as many Gentiles as Jews.

It was in Antioch that Christianity was launched on its worldwide mission and where the believers aggressively preached to Gentiles. News of what was happening in Antioch soon reached the ears of Jerusalem. Now there was no controversy. Peter’s defense of his visit to Cornelius’s house had silenced all opposition including Gentiles in the church. Instead of provoking an argument, the news brought joy. The leaders in Jerusalem decided to send Barnabas to Antioch to investigate what they were hearing and to facilitate the work there. Barnabas found ample evidence of the mighty hand of God at work. He rejoiced at what he witnessed. The grace of God had radically transformed the new believers, leaving no room for doubt, that they were truly saved. Barnabas being full of the Holy Spirit and true to the meaning of his name (“son of encouragement) encouraged the believers and rejoiced with them.

Barnabas could have easily taken this opportunity to expand his own ministry and further his own importance, but being a man full of the Holy Spirit does a selfless and strategic thing, he seeks out Saul of Tarsus. Realizing that a man with Saul’s education and gifts was well suited to teach highly cultured Greeks, Barnabas was the first Jerusalem disciple to believe in the authenticity of Paul’s conversion and had confidently introduced him to the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27-29). For a whole year Barnabas and Saul worked as a team in teaching and preaching the disciples. At about this time a new name was coined for the followers of Christ. They were called Christians. At about this time there were serious food shortages during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius (A.D 41-54) because of a drought that extended across much of the Roman Empire. It was significant that the church in Antioch assisted the church in Jerusalem. The daughter church had grown enough to be able to assist the established church. The people of Antioch were motivated to give generously because they cared for the needs of others. This is “cheerful giving”) which the Bible commands (2 Cor. 9:7). The aid was entrusted to Barnabas and Saul to take to Jerusalem. These two men were doubtless chosen because both were highly regarded and personally known to church leaders.

Question/answers:
What does the term “Christian” means?
The word occurs three times in the new testament The designation of the early followers of Christ as Christians was initiated by the non-Christian population of Antioch (Acts 11:26) and originally it was probably a term of mocking or derision–“little Christ”. Eventually, however, Christians used it of themselves as a name of honor not of shame (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Prior to their adoption of the name, the Christians called themselves believers (Acts 5:14), brothers (Acts 6:3), or saints (Acts 9:13), names which also continued to be used today.

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Acts Chapter 6

Internal Dissension/Appointment of the Seven Deacons

This very short chapter narrates the preliminaries of Stephen’s martyrdom, noting that it occurred following a period of great growth and prosperity for the new church, that Stephen’s rise to prominence was a result of his appointment as one of the seven chosen to administer the distribution of food to the needy, an appointment brought about by complaints of neglecting the Grecian widows (6:2-7). Stephen’s popularity, ability in debate, and his fearless proclamation of the truth resulted in a Pharisaical plot against him, leading to his arrest (6:8-15). Many things of very significance come to view in this little chapter: there was the first instance of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles; there appeared the first violent opposition of the Pharisee; there occurred the first expansion of the church’s organization beyond that of the governing Apostles; and there was the exceedingly significant record of “a great company of priests” accepting the faith in Jesus Christ.

The church at Jerusalem had two groups of people in it by now. There were Jews who had always lived in Judea. They spoke the “Aramaic” language most of the time. This was more like the Hebrew language. Almost all of the Old Testament writers wrote in Hebrew. There were other Jews who spoke mostly Greek. The Greek speaking Jews were referred to as “Hellenistic Jews”. They were Jews by race, but not by culture. Many Jews who were scattered by the Diaspora (Acts 9:29), adopted the Greek culture, therefore they did not speak Aramaic, the language of the Hebrew Jews. This is where the problems arose. The Hebrews for the most part regarded the Hellenists as non Jewish, and the Hellenists considered the Hebrews as holier-than thou. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely because of the language barrier. The early church took the responsibility to help support the widows because they had no other means of support (Acts 4:32-37). Despite the help that both groups received, they continued to complain.

The Apostles felt that their time should be spent in prayer, preaching, and teaching the word of God, so they chose others to administer the food program. This administration was not taken lightly. Notice the requirement for the men who would handle the food program. They were to be honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. With these qualifications the men would be spiritually and practically minded. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (set apart by prayer and laying on of hands) by the Apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (Num. 27:23; Deut. 34:9).

The seven chosen all had Greek names, thus implying that the people and Apostles showed great love and sensitivity to the offended Greeks by choosing them to served tables. Jesus had told the Apostles that they were to witness first in Jerusalem (1:8). In a short time their message had infiltrated the entire city and all levels of society. Even some Priests were being converted, an obvious violation of the wishes of the Jewish council, this would endanger their position and power. Stephen who was chosen first (6:5) is now again introduced to us as being a man full of faith, having the Holy Spirit, and full of power. Stephen performed many wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible does not tell us what wonders or miracles Stephen performed, but all of these acts were evidences of the grace of God working through him. After disputing with Stephen and suffering defeat, these men induced false charges against Stephen causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council. The Sadducees, the dominant party in the Jewish council, accepted and studied only the writing of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime. As it was with Jesus our Lord (Matt.26:59-61), they recruited false witnesses against Stephen. The face of Stephen revealed a clam, unruffled composure revealing the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Questions/answers: What is meant by “serve tables”?
The word “serve” has the meaning of “minister to”, and is rendered from the Greek word (diakonia), a derivative from (diakonos), and the latter term being rendered by three English words in our version: Minister, servant, and deacon. It is here that the office of the deacon is though to have been established.

Who was Nicolaus?
Nicolaus was a gentile who converted to Judaism then to Christianity. It is interesting that he is the only one designated a proselyte and the only one whose native city is given. He was from Antioch.

Who were the “Libertines”?
Libertines would be better translated “freedmen”. Members of this group had once been slaves, but had received their freedom. A great many Christians in those early years were slaves, the same being indicated by their names as given in Romans 16; but the Libertines had been freed. The places named here refer to non-Palestinian areas of the Roman Empire populated by Jews of the Diaspora. Alexandria, aside from Rome and Jerusalem, was the largest Jewish city of Antiquity; and Cyrene and Cilicia might have been mentioned by Luke because of the connection of Rufus (a son of Simon of Cyrene), Alexander (a son of Simon of Cyrene and brother of Rufus), and Simon from Cyrene, this Simon that carried the cross of Jesus (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

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Acts Chapter 4

The Sanhedrin Opposes Peter and John

The glorious success of the gospel at Pentecost and for sometime afterward could not last. The inherent hatred of the truth and righteousness on part of the power of the enemy was quickly manifested in the bitter opposition encountered by the Apostles. The first move against the church came suddenly. In the gospel accounts we read how Jesus argued with the Pharisees who were Jews that were strict legalist concerning the Law of Moses. In Acts the Pharisees were friendlier to the Christians. It was another party, the Sadducees, who were now the enemy. What we know of this sect is that they are rich, rude, and they did not believe in the resurrection, which meant they hated the followers of Christ.

Peter’s sermon was interrupted by the enemies of Christ, the Sadducees, who descended upon the Apostles with sufficient strength to stop their preaching and cast them into prison. The priests were from the tribe of Levi and were appointed by God to care for the spiritual needs of the people. They were in charge of the temple worship and sacrifices as well as being corrupt (MAL. 1:6-14; 2:1-9). The captain of the temple was in place to keep order in the temple and surrounding areas. The preaching and boldness of the Apostles was apparent, five thousand got saved. This jailing of the Apostles was illegal and no charges were placed against them as it was a highhanded abuse of authority. In light of this, they illegally held Jesus with no charges and put his trial over to the next day. This act on both occasions was not due to any concern for the holy law, but they simply needed time to figure out what they would do.

As they did with Jesus, the leaders came together to question the Apostles, they were anxious to know by what name and power these miracles were done. Peter being filled with the promised Holy Spirit spoke with boldness (1:8; 2:14). Peter knew that the Holy Spirit would speak for him. He explained that the judges who were to judge them were now being judged. While trying to convict them, they will be convicted of crimes against the risen Messiah. Instead of being defensive, the Apostles went on the offensive. In verse 9, Peter asked whether he was wrong to do good to the lame man and heal him. This did not seem to be a court of law because there were no clear charges for Peter and John to answer. Peter instructed them to listen well to what he was about to charge them with. Here is the answer you seek. The deeds (miracles) were done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Surely you remember Him: He is the Christ whom you crucified and God raised Him from the dead.

Peter accused them of rejecting the cornerstone of which the house of Israel must and will be built. They rejecting the cornerstone was a fulfillment of prophecy (Ps. 118:22-23; Isa. 28:16; Luke 20:18). Jesus the Messiah is Israel’s only hope (Matt. 1:21; John 14:6; Rom. 11:26). The religious leaders came to recognize that the evidence before them could not be refuted. The evidence was standing right in front of them. The leaders argued with Jesus and did not win; they now argued with Jesus’ Apostles and did not win. There was something different about these men. Yes, they had been with Jesus. Not wanting to discuss any conversations before them, the Apostles were told to leave. They admitted that a miracle had taken place, yet they continued to deny the presence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of accepting the power of Christ, they threaten the Apostles. They couldn’t even mention the name of Christ (…no man in His name – Acts 4:17). The apostles would not be deterred in all things that they heard and witnessed. They had the backing of all the eye witnesses. The leaders’ fears intensified. Christ had taught the Apostles and Disciples, that they would be delivered into the hands of the council and condemned for His name sake. But when these persecutions begin, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because of their future rewards (Matt. 5:11-12; Luke. 21:12; John 15:20; I Pet. 4:16). Peter quotes the prophecy of King David (Ps. 2:1-2) which found fulfillment in the action of those who joined together in killing the Messiah. Peter leaves no one out. First, there were the king of the earth, Herod; second, the ruler, Pontius Pilate; third, the nations, the gentile authority; and last but not least the nation of Israel.

Throughout their ordeals the Apostles did not asked God to be spared of the persecution, but to grant them more boldness to preach the gospel. They prayed that God would continue to validate their ministry with signs and wonders. God reassured them by sending a visible sign (shaking of the place where they were) that His promise of miraculous power to the twelve would continue. A communal system was being established and was in compliance with Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matt.19:21). The believers were not only united spiritually (one in heart and mind), but also united materially (Acts 2:44-45). Their selling of their goods was voluntary and distributed by each person. They continued to preach with much boldness concerning the resurrection of Christ. The word Grace (vs.33) is one of the numerous times that the word grace occurs in Acts (11:23; 13:43: 14:3, 26; 15:11, 40; 18:27; 20:24, 32).

Luke introduces Barnabas as a role model from among those who sold their property and laid it at the Apostles feet. This Barnabas will become a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.

Questions/answers:
1. What and who was the Sanhedrin?
The rulers, elders, scribes, and priests made up the Sanhedrin or Jewish “Judicial council”- the same council that condemned Jesus (Luke. 22:66). It had 70 members plus the current high priest, who presided. The Sadducees held a majority in this ruling group along with the Pharisees.

2. Who was Barnabas?
Barnabas was a Levite from the island of Cyprus who later became a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul. His name means “Son of Encouragement” or “The Son of Consolation”.

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