Ambassador in Chains

MEMORY VERSE: “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” —Acts 26:29

ACTS 26:24-32

IN A hearing before Festus, Paul was asked if he would return to Jerusalem and let himself be tried by the religious rulers there. Paul refused to do this. He said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews I have done no wrong. … If I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.”—Acts 25:10,11

According to Roman law, Paul’s appeal to Caesar made it mandatory that he be taken to Caesar. However, Festus was in a quandary, for it was customary in sending a prisoner to Caesar to supply information concerning the charges against him, but so far as the Roman authorities were concerned, there were no charges. So Festus sought the aid of King Agrippa, and arrangements were made for Paul to appear before Agrippa, where Festus was also present.

When given an opportunity to testify before Agrippa, Paul explained that from his youth he had been loyal to the Jewish religion. He said, “After the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” (Acts 26:5) He said further, “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which which hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.” (vss. 6,7) Then Paul asks the question, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (vs. 8) Here Paul again identifies the real reason for which he was being persecuted.

Paul then tells Agrippa of the severe manner in which he himself had persecuted the followers of Jesus, and of his experience on the Damascus road. He relates with feeling the power of the vision which caused him to realize that Jesus was indeed the Christ of promise. “Whereupon, O king Agrippa,” he said, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”—Acts 26:19

The vision had revealed to him that he was to be “a minister and a witness” both of the things which he had seen and of those things which the Lord would still reveal unto him. (vs. 16) Paul explained to Agrippa that, being faithful to the vision, he had indeed preached Christ, and that because of his continued ministry the Jews had apprehended him in the temple and were determined to kill him. But, as Paul explained, God had helped him, so that he could “continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.”—Acts 26:21,22

What were those things which the prophets and Moses had foretold concerning the Messiah? Paul explains, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” (vss. 22,23)

In a reference to Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation, the Prophet David wrote, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou has hast led captivity captive.” (Ps. 68:18) Paul quotes this and applies it to Jesus. He wrote, “Wherefore he saith, When he [Jesus] ascended up on high, he led a multitude of captives.” (Eph. 4:8, margin) In this prophecy death is symbolized as a state of captivity. Jesus was a captive in death, but when, by the power of the Heavenly Father, he was brought forth “he led a host of captives.” (RSV) This, of course, implies, as Paul affirmed, that Jesus was to be the first to rise from the dead. Paul further wrote, “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (I Cor. 15:20) Following Jesus in the resurrection are those who are brought forth in “the first resurrection.” These will live and reign with Christ a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4,6) Eventually the whole world will be restored to life and will live on the earth as humans.

Festus interrupted Paul and said, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” (vs. 24) Paul said, “I am not mad, … but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” He explained that Agrippa knew about these things, because his ministry had not been conducted “in a corner.” Then he pressed the point, asking Agrippa if he really did believe what the prophets had foretold. Agrippa replied, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Paul replied in the words of our memory text. With this, the hearing closed, and Agrippa conceded that Paul was innocent of wrongdoing, but since he had appealed to Caesar, he would have to be sent to Caesar.

QUESTIONS

Relate the circumstances leading up to Paul’s appearance before Agrippa.

What was one of the main objections the religious rulers of Israel had against Paul’s teachings?

Quote from the Old Testament a promise of Jesus’ resurrection which indicates that he was to be the first to be raised from the dead.

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