Outbless Weekly
Outbless Weekly is a podcast of the bible study hosted by Michael Metcalf who studied at Calvary Chapel Bible College and has been a volunteer bible teacher for over 20 years. Michael teaches verse by verse, book by book as the Holy Spirit leads. Listen to the Outbless Weekly Podcast as we travel through the bible. You will quickly learn the bible in-depth and begin to deepen your understanding of God's amazing Word. You may also contact Michael at mm@outbless.com
Outbless Weekly
Acts, Chapter 26 - Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
Acts, Chapter 26 - Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
26 Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
- In Chapter 25, Festus gave an intro to King Agrippa and his wife Bernice and told them that the Jews wanted to kill Paul because of a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive (the entire issue is about the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).
2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
- Paul considers himself fortunate that he is about to make his defense before King Agrippa
o This implies that he knows the Jewish laws and their religion (he is an expert)
4 “So then, all Jews know my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
- Paul declares “all Jews know my way of life since my youth”
o Which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem,
o Since they have known about me for a long time (his whole life)
o If they are willing to testify (tell the truth)
§ That I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion
§ In other words, Paul diligently followed God’s laws given to the Jews
§ These facts make Paul as Jewish as it gets
6 And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day.
o Notice God made a promise to our fathers (the Abrahamic covenant)
For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people if God raises the dead?
- For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews
o What hope?
o The hope of the promise made to Abraham and through all the prophets
- Why is it considered incredible among you people if God raises the dead?
o In other words, you should have known this is possible and would happen
9 “So I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, after receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being put to death.
o Jerusalem means “in awe of peace”; “teaching peace”
o Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”
o Nazareth means “one separated” or “set apart”; “sanctified”
- And yet the names described in this paragraph tell the Gospel story:
o They were teaching peace with God (they were in awe of the peace available0
o That Jehovah is salvation (God saves)
o That Jehovah sent Jesus for the exclusive purpose which is why He came
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