By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
ANSWERING CRITICS
Acts 26:19–29
Acts is the unfolding story of the people of God, filled with the Spirit of God, engaging in the mission of God. In these verses Paul is again sharing the gospel and intentionally seeking to make disciples. This is the same mission we have as Jesus’ followers. Paul tried to persuade King Agrippa to bow before King Jesus. As Paul shared the testimony of his conversion and of his commission to proclaim the gospel, he emphasized two key themes. First he magnified the cross and the resurrection. Second he insisted that this new faith is actually an extension of Judaism.
The Gospel Told (19–23)
Paul explained to King Agrippa how he was faithful to obey the commission Christ gave him. He had preached in Damascus, in Jerusalem, in Judea and to the Gentiles. Paul proclaimed a message of repentance, urging everyone to bear fruit in a way that reflected their new life in Christ. Paul then described that he preaches the Christ written about by Moses and the prophets. He has been faithful to his commission because God enables him with His power and God supplies the message centered on the Christ. Paul’s statement about Moses and the prophets is reminiscent of Jesus’ teaching on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:44–47).
Paul noted he was simply a preacher of the Jewish promise and hope rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures; it was nothing new. He asserted that he had not made up a new story to proclaim. He had been preaching the fulfillment of this great hope, which culminates in the risen Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah, the light shining in the darkness. It is Jesus who was being proclaimed to both Jews and Gentiles. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul was accomplishing Jesus’ purpose of being light to the nations.
Objection Rebuffed (24–26)
Festus, the Roman governor of Judea, could not contain himself after hearing Paul’s message. He interrupted Paul, declaring him insane for believing such things. Did Paul really think Jesus of Nazareth, a man executed under one of Festus’ predecessors as governor, Pilate, was alive and had spoken to him? A belief in the resurrection was a crazy idea to the Romans. Festus’ reaction to Paul’s message is a reminder that the gospel really is “foolishness” to some people (1 Cor. 1:18). Paul defended himself respectfully, assuring Festus that he was speaking true and rational words.
Invitation Given (27–29)
Paul took advantage of Festus’ interruption to focus attention on King Agrippa. Continuing to address Festus, Paul said King Agrippa knows that these things are true. Paul assumed that King Agrippa was familiar with the ministry of Jesus because it did not take place “in a corner.” Christianity was not a secret cult. Paul called King Agrippa as a witness to his sanity because the Jews believed in resurrection and the matters of which he spoke (the death of Jesus and the claim that He rose from the dead) were common knowledge in Palestine. By remaining silent, King Agrippa confirmed the truth of what Paul said.
Paul boldly confronted King Agrippa, asking him if he believed the prophets. King Agrippa was stuck in a quandary. Admitting his belief in the prophets meant he had to concede that Jesus was the Messiah. That would make him appear foolish in front of his Roman friends and at the same time outrage his Jewish subjects. Yet a Jewish king could hardly disavow the revered prophets of his people. King Agrippa dodged the question by commenting to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to become a Christian?” Paul replied with his desire for everyone to come to belief in Jesus.
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