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Hello my name is Jerral Campfield and this web site is dedicated to Moral Recognition Therapy using Biblical principles. Please come back often to join me in understanding Gods hands are outstretched still to forgive. |
Acts 26 Message for today |
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Contributed by Jerral Campfield
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Sunday, 26 November 2017 |
We are now seeing
Paul before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice and the great men of Caesarea
defending himself. Acts 26 New King James Version (NKJV) Paul’s Early Life 26 Then Agrippa
said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Here Paul is not able to speak about what is really happening, as the
Jews did not let this happen earlier. So, Paul stretched out his hand and
answered for himself: Paul is very emotional and uses his hands to
show how interested he is in telling his story. Paul knew Agrippa was not new
at this so wants to make sure he showed respect for what he was about to do 2 “I
think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself
before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially
because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the
Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. Paul
was aware of the power the Government had and what Agrippa could do at any
time, so he tried to be as personal as possible as he was defending his own
life that was being questioned. He did not show disrespect but respect so knew
the power of controlling his anger. 4 “My manner of
life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at
Jerusalem, all the Jews know. He let them
know he was a very studious young man wanting to help his fellow man. 5 They knew me
from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the
strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. He was very much a Pharisee better than a Sadducee. He was very proud of
being taught by the best of teachers. 6 And now I
stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. Not only am I being tried by you, but by God, so was putting his life on
the line as He was not his own but belonged to the Lord. It seems like today
the courts do not want. To know the truth for the true sets one free to obey
what is right. Are we not seeing every area of life being contested and wonder
where is or what is the truth. 7 To this promise our
twelve tribes, I’m earnestly serving God night and day, hope
to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Paul had such a conversion that he never forgot what happen to him as
one that was opposed to God and now in favor of God’s presence. So he spoke with
the assurance all was going to go will. 8 Why should it
be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Here he is letting Agrippa know he needed to know that God allowed Jesus
to rise from the dead, yet he was bent on not accepting Gods will and wanted to
represent the government of Rome. 9 “Indeed, I
myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many
of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief
priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And
I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to
blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even
to foreign cities. He was being as truthful as he could for now
his life was on the line, and needed to show the new life and how God got his
attention. Lord help us to never forget what happen to us before we were saved
so we appreciate Your love and mercy. Paul Recounts His Conversion 12 “While thus
occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the
chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road
I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those
who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had
fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew
language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard
for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said,
‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet;
for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a
witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will
yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from
the Jewish people, as well as from the
Gentiles, to whom I now[a] send
you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to
turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an
inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
He
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Here again is his story and he could go on, but is cut short so now he has to trust God for granting him this opportunity, but is stopped by Festus. Agrippa Parries Paul’s Challenge 24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” Paul is not accused of being a criminal, but a lunatic out of his mind, he shouted out Paul not, like what the Lord did by getting his attention Saul, Saul, but uses his new name Paul you are mad, and much learning as made you this way. 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. Paul is quick to address Festus, but more interested in what Festus wanted Paul to do in appealing to Agrippa 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” What a statement I know that you do believe Agrippa trying to apply to his conscience for Agrippa was may times confronted with others who believed for he was a Jewish believer and knew the writings of the prophets. 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Remember these are the same words Pilate said to Jesus as He was being tried. I am sure you have meet people that felt the same way but for some reason can get to the place they want to surrender their way to the Lord for they are so full of pride they can’t think of others. Proud is surrounded by (ru) proud and that thinking of others, or prideful think of self alone and not God who created you and I. 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Lord help us to know without a doubt we have two ways God way and the Devils ways one leading to heaven and the other leading to hell where the worm will never die. I am in chains now, but thank the Lord I am free to honor the Lord, my spirit is connected to the Lords will and my souls is blest beyond measure for my body is at peace with. What is going on. 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Thank the Lord when people here the truth and talk about the truth something good is going to happen as is done here. For those who were not holy and under the force of evil have to conclude Paul did nothing wrong and is not worthy of death or having to be bound by chains. 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Agrippa says to Festus Paul would have been free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Here we see Paul was very determined to go all the way to the top of government to prove he is innocent of the charges what where trying to make him look like an evil man interested in proving himself to those in authority. Lord help us to not be too quick, to make judgement upon people for only God knows what is going on in the mind and heart of individuals.Thank the Lord we are not alone the Lord is defending us all the time for He is the way, truth and life that we need to understand and have faith and hope in to make sure we are always worshiping the Lord and praying to Him to see our way through life victories, so we are not defeated, but keep abide in Him, so His love surrounds us giving us the assurance we are His and He is ours. Your on trial so never forget who you are and where you are for life is so short and then eternity with God begins as we abide in Him if not Hell that was created for Satan and all his followers is burning and never burnt up. LORD HELP ME SEE THE TRUTH. |
Copyright 2005 Jerral Campfield, All rights reserved.
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