July 3, 2022
Acts 25:23-26:32
“Absurd Truth”
Service Overview: Festus, mindful of Agrippa’s familiarity with Judaism, and needing to prepare legal papers before sending him on to Caesar, arrange a special meeting with Paul. Festus found Paul’s testimony absurd; Agrippa found it pointed and a bit too close to home. Nevertheless, Paul took advantage of this opportunity to share how Jesus transformed his life, and how they too could have theirs transformed.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” Ephesians 5:8
Background Information:
- Festus had got himself into a difficulty. It was Roman law that if a man appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome there must be sent with him a written account of the case and of the charges against him. Festus’ problem was that, as far as he could see, there was no charge to send. That is why this meeting had been convened. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 175)
- The context in which Paul put his witness is crucial to note. He affirmed the king’s knowledge and understanding of the customs and affairs of the Jews. In substance he was saying, “If anyone, can understand how false are the charges against me, you can.” Then he forcefully established the reason he was on trial—that he believed that the hope for which he and the Hebrew people had hoped so long, had been fulfilled. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 336)
- It seems incredible that all of this pomp and ceremony was because of one little Jewish man who preached the gospel of Jesus Christ! But the Lord had promised Paul he would bear witness before “Gentiles and kings” (Acts 9:15), and that promise was being fulfilled again. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 402)
- Festus had found it extremely difficult to determine why Paul had been arrested in the first place, and why his Jewish opponents were out for his blood; yet it was important that he should ascertain the reason, in order to include it in his report to Rome. He counted on Agrippa’s help in this matter, and even if Agrippa did not grasp the fundamental point in dispute, he no doubt gathered enough to enable him to give Festus the desired help. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 489)
- “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (v. 14). This was a reference to the manner in which oxcarts were driven. At the front of the oxcart was a plate with spikes jutting out. When a stubborn ox refused to move, the driver would hit the ox with a switch, and the ox in anger would kick back, driving its feet right into those spikes. Just so, Paul had once fought against Jesus. Many today do the same thing. They fight and kick against Christ and the gospel all their days in an effort to resist Him. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 362)
The question to answer…
Why does Luke include this third telling of Paul’s conversion experience?
Answer…
For Luke, Paul’s transformation was vital to understanding both Paul and the revolution that had now begun because of Jesus.
Key statements to dissect and examine from Paul’s defense…
- “The way I have lived.”
(vv. 4-11 | Acts 9:15; 22:14-15; 26:16-18; Galatians 1:13-2:10; Phil. 3:3-9)
How encouraging it is to know that God in His grace speaks to those who are His enemies. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 403)
- “I saw a light” –and– “I heard a voice”.
(vv. 13-18 | Prov. 20:12; Is. 42:16; Mat. 4:16; 6:22; John 1:5; 8:12; Rom. 10:17; Eph. 5:8)
Paul gives us here a grim reminder of what it means to be lost. Apart from Christ, people are blinded and in spiritual darkness. They are under the sway of Satan and, because of their sins, unforgiven (under condemnation). Many times we forget these facts. Today when you look at people who are well dressed, polished, moral, and successful (at least in the world’s eyes), do not automatically assume they have no needs. Until they put their total trust in Christ, they are in a terrible state. Let this way of thinking stir you to compassion (prayer) and action (evangelism). (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 427)
- “I was not disobedient”.
(v. 19-21 | Luke 6:46; 11:28; Acts 5:29; James 1:22-25; 1 Pet. 1:14; 1 John 3:24; 5:3)
We can fool ourselves into mouthing just about anything. We know we are Christians when our lives are changed and we begin to do good works. That is the proof—when we begin to follow after Jesus Christ and obey him. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 406)
- “I stand here and testify”.
(v. 22 | Josh. 1:9; Mark 16:15; 1 Cor. 16:13; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 6:13; Phil. 1:27; 2 Thes. 2:15)
If your faith is private, the faith you have is not Christian. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 365)
In this passage Paul insists that the centre of his whole message is the resurrection. His witness is not of someone who has lived and died but of One who is gloriously present and alive for evermore. For Paul every day is Easter Day. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 177)
- “I pray”.
(v. 29 | Luke 1:69; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 13:47; Rom. 1:8-17; 11; 1 Thess. 5:17; Titus 2:11)
Paul remained in Roman custody, yet his words continue to echo down through the centuries. They are words of love for lost humanity: “I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 312)
Conclusion… Key things to know Jesus does in light of a text like this…
A. Opens eyes.
(Psalm 119:18; 146:8; Is. 35:5; Mat. 6:22; Luke 24:45; Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:18)
Paul had to lose his religion to gain salvation! He discovered in a moment of time that all of his righteousnesses were but filthy rags in God’s sight, and that he needed the righteousness of Christ (Isa. 64:6). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 404)
B. Turns from dark to light.
(Is. 42:16; Mat. 4:16; 5:14; John 1:5; 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 1:5-7)
To repent means “to turn around.” If you are going in one direction and repent, you turn around and go another direction. It is the equivalent of conversion, which means the same thing. It is what had happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. He was going one way, but God turned him around so that he went in a different way entirely. That needs to happen to everyone who would find salvation in Christ. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 406)
C. Transfers people from Satan’s grasp to God’s.
(John 8:44; 10:10; Acts 26:18; Rom. 6:14; 16:20; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 1:13; 2:2; 1 Thes. 5:9; Heb. 2:14; Ja. 4:7; 1 John 5:19)
Satan wants us to believe that we can find peace and satisfaction apart from God. He wants us to waste our lives Chasing after wealth, possessions, status, pleasure, sex, power, and other idols. But the gospel turns our darkness into light and turns people away from the power of Satan to the power of God. They are no longer slaves to the lying propaganda of Satan; they can finally receive the truth of God. And it all comes by faith in Jesus Christ. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 309)
D. Provides power and strength to stand.
(Deut. 31:6; Is. 40:29-31; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 1:7)
Until the fact of the risen Christ becomes part of our lives, something motivating and empowering us, we have little to say, even if we know the facts. (William H. Willimon, Acts, 181)
Gospel Challenge…
In Jesus there is sight, light, truth, forgiveness, freedom, and power. Have your eyes been opened?
(Psalm 146:8; John 8:32, 36; 14:6; 17:17; Acts 1:8; 2:38; 26:18; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 1:18; 3:20; 4:32; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 John 1:9; 3:18)
What a wonderful thing is the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ and be saved! What a terrible thing is wasting that opportunity and perhaps never having another. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 405)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- If you are a follower of Jesus, what was your life like before you became a follower of him? What led to your eyes being opened?
- How has your life been different since? What transformations have taken place? What transformations are still taking place?
- Has there been a situation in which God has provided strength for you to stand? What was it? What was it like? How were you able to stand?
- What “arenas” exist in your life whereby you might have an opportunity to share Jesus with others? How might you see opportunities in those arenas?
Quotes to note…
Man cannot understand nature apart from the light of super nature. (Sproul, Acts, 361)
The passion of the apostle and the universal need of the gospel message comes through in Paul’s response to Agrippa’s brusque statement. Notice how Paul changed the tone of the exchange. This was not Paul the debater; this was Paul the evangelist with a tender heart for the lost souls in need of finding the Savior. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 430)
God takes the initiative in salvation, and without the Spirit’s ministry men are hopeless, so that salvation is all of grace. Nevertheless, men have the perilous power of choice to exercise. Paul was quick to reject any saving merit in human works, but at the same time was ready to insist that good works are the necessary consequence of saving faith and a holy, obedient life. (Airhart, Acts, 283)
There is a great difference between self-esteem and Christ-esteem. The second makes possible the first, but the first without the second is misplaced pride. (Ogilvie, Acts, 337)
When a man has Christ in his heart and God at his right hand he has the secret of power. Of whom then shall he be afraid? (Barclay, Acts, 175)
What should our response to such a gospel be? Paul gives this as well, no doubt for the explicit benefit of King Agrippa, Festus, and the others. He says that the Gentiles should “repent,” “turn to God,” and “prove their repentance by their deeds” (26:20). (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 406)
Man cannot understand clouds or mathematics unless he first understands the author of clouds and mathematics. When naturalism prevails, people think life after death defies credibility. This is an intellectual war, not a question of religion. It is a question of truth. It is a question of life itself. I agree with Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile. . . if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:17–19). (Sproul, Acts, 361)
Christianity is not about religion; it is about truth, sober truth. It is not about finding a purpose for your life but coming to a saving knowledge of Christ and understanding the whole world around you in light of the truth of God. It is a sobering truth. (Sproul, Acts, 365)
Paul’s status as a prisoner didn’t stop him from telling others about Christ. Military officers and prominent city leaders met in the palace room with Agrippa to hear Paul’s case. Paul saw this new audience as yet another opportunity to present the gospel. Rather than complain about your present circumstances, look for ways to use every situation to serve God and share him with others. Your problems may be opportunities in disguise. (Osborne, Acts, 420)