Bro.
Gan started with the story of the Commander of the King or Aram, Naaman. He was a great commander but he had leprosy.
He had a Jewish servant girl who convinced Naaman that if he seeks the prophet
in Israel he will be healed. Naaman got
the King’s permission and he approached Prophet Elisha to heal him. Elisha asked him to dip into river Jordan 7
times and he will be healed. He did that
and was healed. Effectively he was saved
by the testimony of a Jewish servant girl. ( 2 King 5:1-19 )
Paul’s Testimony of the Risen Christ
before King Agrippa
900
years later a Jewish man appeared on the scene of Palestine.
Apostle
Paul – A former Pharisee who became a believer
Porcius
Festus – A Roman Governor who succeed Felix
King
Agrippa and Bernice – Ruler of Galilee region and married sister Bernice
Main
story line – Paul was on trial before King Agrippa for the “crime” of preaching
the Gospel
12
years after Paul’s conversion he conducted 3 missions – 1st mission
to the many provinces up to Turkey, 2nd mission, a historic crossed
to Europe, and 3rd mission Paul extended his mission to Jerusalem.
In
Jerusalem he was arrested by the authority when a mob tried to kill him. Paul was transferred by the authority from
Jerusalem to Caesarea because the Jews wanted to ambush and kill him. He was tried before Felix who found nothing
wrong with him. Felix kept him in prison
expecting a bribe. Festus succeed Felix
and Paul was again stand trial before him, and he found nothing wrong with him.
Festus wanted to move Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem to be trialled there but
he objected and appealed to Caesar.
Festus has no charges against Paul and that was unreasonable to send him
to Caesar. King Agrippa came along and Festus arranged for Paul to be heard
before him. King Agrippa was an expert
in Jewish customs and culture and he would be able to help Festus with his
duties in sending Paul to Rome.
Paul
gave his conversion testimony before the King, Queen, Governor, high ranking
military officers and prominent men of the city.
Part
1 – Paul acknowledge the presence of his audience with respectful remarks ( Act
26:1-3) he agreed that King Agrippa was an expert in Jewish customs and counted
himself fortunate to appear before him.
Part
2- Paul’s life before conversion ( Acts 26:4-11) a) he lived as a Pharisee b)
he was a persecutor of the church.
Part
3 – Paul’s conversion (Acts 26:12-19) a) he met Jesus on the way to Damascus b)
he became a firm believer. Jesus asked
Paul why he persecute Jesus and told him it was hard to kick against the goad.
A goad is a sharp stick for driving a ox forward. It is painful for the animal to kick against
it.
Part
4- Result of Paul’s conversion
a) he was appointed as witness of Jesus ( Acts
26:16 )
b) he received hope for the future. ( Acts 26:6-8) because he believed
in the resurrection.
Isaiah
prophecy about the Resurrection of the body. “But your dead will
live, Lord; their bodies will rise— let those who dwell in the
dust wake up and shout for joy” (Isa 26:19)
c)
he obeyed the calling to spread the good news. (Acts 26:17-18)
(i) Turn from darkness to light ii) transferred from power of Satan to God. Iii) received forgiveness of sin.
Two Reactions to Paul’s Testimony
a) Unbelief: Festus thought
Paul was insane.
b) Belief: Agrippa showed
signs of believing.
Judgement of Paul’s Trial
a) Paul had no done anything
to deserve death or imprisonment.
b) He could have been set
free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
Therefore
Paul was sent to Rome to bring the good news.
How
Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Rom 10:15)