Title [Acts 26:1-23] Paul's Excuses
Text: Acts 26:1 ~ 23
Title: Paul's Apology
Governor Festus, who received a congratulatory visit from King Agrippa, mentioned Paul's case, which was an important topic at the time, and most explained Paul's innocence. However, Paul made an appeal to the emperor, so he could not release him, and he revealed that he was worried because it would be unreasonable to send it to the emperor without setting the charges. In the end, in order to find an answer through King Agrippa, who was well aware of Jewish customs and laws, Paul put Paul before the king and had him questioned. Before the king, governor, and other nobles, Paul had another opportunity to make an excuse. The text says Paul's excuses, but in fact, it can be called preaching and evangelism. Now, let's take a look at some of the contents and receive grace.
1. Testified of mankind's only hope
There is no one without hope. Most of them are people who want power, fame, and material things as their hopes. There are those who wish for peace and unification. The nation of Israel had hope for the Messiah. We can see that God made a promise about the Messiah to Abraham (Gen. 22:18) and Jacob (Gen 49:10) early on, and from generation to generation kept this promise in mind and lived in hope for the Messiah, and we can see that Paul kept that hope. . In verses 6-7, “The reason I am being questioned here now is because I hope for what God has promised to our ancestors, which we hope to achieve by earnestly worshiping and serving God day and night by our twelve tribes, King Agrippa. Because of hope I am accused by the Jews.” We can see that they are committing the contradiction of persecuting Paul, who preaches the good news, without knowing that the hope has been fulfilled. The only hope for mankind is Jesus Christ, who came as the Messiah. Jesus Christ was crucified for us and rose from the dead three days later. We must be convinced that Jesus, who came as promised, is mankind's only hope.
2. Jesus tested that he tolerates even adversaries.
We are offended by even a small loss, and we treat the person who caused the damage like an enemy. Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He also promised, “If you do this, you will become sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:45). The Lord put that lesson into practice. Paul is a prime example of persecuting the church.
With the authority bestowed upon him by the high priest, he took the lead in arresting, imprisoning, and killing thousands of saints, making them speak blasphemy against the name of Jesus. He even went to foreign cities and persecuted the saints. Nevertheless, Jesus met this Paul on the road to Damascus. And he accepted him and used him as a servant of the Lord. If you kick back the thorns, only you will suffer. Opposition to the church is like that. However, many people oppose the church and disturb it. That's unfortunate. But the important thing is that if any of them repent and return to the Lord, the Lord forgives and forgives. Also, it means that he is used as a valuable worker. Many of us fall into this category. Let us be faithful in the work of the Lord with a grateful heart. Let us also become saints who are tolerant to all people like the Lord, the children of God.
3. We testified that the Lord's help is always present when we do the Lord's work.