ripple effect: vacaville

Read Acts 26:1-32.

1. Paul gets to speak. He’s actually glad that he gets to speak to Agrippa because he knows that at least he knows about all the Jewish issues.
2. Paul explains that he was as Jewish as they come. See how Paul links his Jewish heritage to his faith in Jesus? He explains that he’s on trial simply for believing what the old testament said about a Messiah coming and being raised from the dead.
3. He explains how he was originally against Jesus and how he actually tried to force people who were followers of Jesus to blaspheme. Man. He was obsessed with persecuting them. But all that changed, and we know how. The whole “kicking against the goads” thing is interesting. That was for oxen, back in the day. They would put spikes behind the oxen; so that, if they kicked, they would only be hurting themself. This was God’s way of saying, by doing what you’re doing, Paul, you’re only hurting yourself. Anyway, we know what Paul did from there…
4. Paul considers it God’s work that he is able to preach to all audiences: Jew, Gentile, and now the king! And he simply reiterates that what he is claiming is simply the fulfillment of what all Jews are supposed to believe.
5. Festus didn’t seem to think it made much sense. He started talking smack. Then again, he was a Roman; so how would he know? But, Agrippa, he should have known…
6. What an interesting response Agrippa gives: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Why not?
7. I love Paul’s response. He simply talks about his hope that everyone in earshot would become a follower of Jesus.
8. Anyway, Agrippa and Bernice agreed that Paul didn’t deserve to be executed or even put in jail (much less for 2 years!).
9. Isn’t it interesting that Paul would have been a free man at that point if he had not appealed to Caesar? I think Paul wanted to go to Caesar no matter what. Being free, in Jerusalem with everyone trying to kill you, is no prize. Being imprisoned a little more and able to talk to the leader of the world. Well, that’s priceless.