Acts 25:23-26:32 Paul Before Agrippa
25:23-27 Festus presented Case of Paul to Agrippa
26:01-23 Paul defends his case before Agrippa
26:24-32 Views of Festus and King Agrippa on Gospel
Acts 25:23-27 Festus presented the Case of Paul to Agrippa.
The introduction of the trial of Paul by King Agrippa is dramatic. King Agrippa, with his wife Bernice, also she was his sister, entered the Audience hall with great Pomp with high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. King Agrippa and his sister had an incestuous relationship, shameful. Paul was brought for trial at the command of Festus. Festus introduced Paul to King Agrippa as an accused under trial. The Jews at Jerusalem and Caesarea demanded his life for his rebellious act against the religious sentiments of the Jews. Festus could not establish any charges against Paul to prove that he was guilty. So he asked King Agrippa to find out any valid reasons to send him to Emperor.
There is a proverbial saying that 'all prisoners are not criminals, and all freed are not righteous'. It is true in every generation and every nation. Many handed over to the Police guards out of enmity and by force of the strong. Always innocence righteous persons struggle for justice and freedom. Paul represents many who are wrongly imprisoned and falsely accused and kept in custody. The God of Justice looks from heaven and renders justice.
Acts 26:01-23 Paul defends his case before Agrippa.
Paul understood the attitude of the leaders and rulers. He started with a plea to King Agrippa to listen to his Défense till the discourse and Défense presentation were completed. King Agrippa was well acquainted with all Jewish customs, and controversies was a vantage for Paul. He began his explanation with his family and clan background. Paul was a pharisee and accepted Christ as Messiah and Saviour of the World. Once, he was an opponent of the Gospel and its workers. But, God met him and he accepted Christ on his journey to Damascus because of the encounter he had with Jesus. Paul told King Agrippa that he was obedient to the vision and call of God. While he was carried out the work of God, he was seized out of Jealousy and handed over to the guards as a prisoner. The Défense of Paul was full of truth and strong valid reasons.
Acts 26:24-32 Views of Festus and King Agrippa on Gospel
While Paul kept speaking, Festus stopped him and told him that he was out of mind. The true Gospel preaching always seems to be insane oration, ecstatic disposition to the unbelievers and people in power. Festus thought because of higher education, Paul became mad and talking out of his sense. But Paul continued to defend himself and told that he was not insane, and he was with a sound mind and good spirit. Paul called Agrippa to affirm that what Paul orated was true. At one point, Paul caught King Agrippa through his oration, and King Agrippa refuted and wanted to escape from the argument and hear the Gospel. King told Paul that he was trying to persuade him to be a Christian. Paul told King Agrippa that he wanted everyone to hear him and become like him except the chains. Paul desired that all his hearers must accept Gospel and worship Jesus Christ.
Discussions:
1. On Justice system.
2. How do we present our testimonies and witnesses to the hearers?
3. What is the aim of our preaching and living as Christians?
(For further studies on Acts, kindly refer to this site)
