Acts Of The Apostles 37 Of 39

Illus: He was not like some of these politicians, they go to one part of the country and give one speech, then they go to another part of the country and say just the opposite.

This “old time” religion that the Bible speaks about is good for everyone.

It is good for the youth, the baby boomers, it is good for everyone!

In this scripture passage today, notice, Paul preached the same message whereever he went. He did not even change it for kings.

Let’s look at this passage. Here is what we see:

I. PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS HAPPINESS

Look at verses 1-3, we read, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.”

Paul was thrilled to be able to speak to King Agrippa.

And he tells us he is excited about the opportunity of speaking to him for two reasons:

(1) HE COULD SPEAK FOR HIMSELF.

Look at verse 2. We read, “I think myself HAPPY, king Agrippa, because I SHALL ANSWER FOR MYSELF this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:”

Every preacher knows the joy of being able to speak for themselves, rather than have someone to speak for them.

Illus: Sometimes when preachers and missionaries go on the foreign field, they have to preach with an interpreter. As he speaks, and as the interpreter speaks, he can only hope and pray the interpreter is saying what he is saying, because he has no way of knowing.

And the same thing holds true in the every day life of a preacher and a missionary. They can only hope people are saying nice things about them, because they have no way of knowing.

Many things were said about Paul that were not true, and Paul told King Agrippa that he was happy to be able to speak for himself.

He was also happy for another reason. Why? Because-

(2) HE COULD SPEAK WITH ASSURANCE.

He knew as he spoke to King Agrippa, he was familiar with the customs of the Jews.

Look at verse 3. We read, “Especially because I know thee to be EXPERT in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.”

It certainly helps when we talk with someone, if they know a little about the subject we are going to be talking about with them.

Paul was happy that King Agrippa did know about the many customs of the Jews.

So he said in verse 3, “…wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.”

PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS HAPPINESS, but also-

II. PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS HOPE

Look at verses 4-8. We read, “My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

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 HOPE'S sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”

Paul wanted to establish before King Agrippa that he was a Pharisee.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

It was important, because the two primary groups opposing Paul were the Pharisees and the Saducees. And they had some major doctrinal differences.

The Pharisees believed in miracles and the Saducees did not.

So naturally a Pharisee could believe in the miraculous resurrection because they believed in miracles.

But the Saducees could not believe in the resurrection because they do not believe in miracles.

But Paul knew that King Agrippa knew about this doctrinal difference among the Jews, and this is why he is happy to appear before King Agrippa.

Establishing this difference before King Agrippa that he knew about, Paul was revealing why he was brought before him. He was HOPING since King Agrippa knew about this familiar problem, it would shed some light on why he was being brought before him.

PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS HOPE, but also-

III. PAUL SPEAKS OF HISTORY

He does this for a reason before King Agrippa.

He wanted King Agrippa to know he was not always a believer.