Bible Study Snacks, Acts 26:1-26

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to Bible Study Snacks! I hope everyone had a nice week. It's great to be here with you again! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twenty-six, Verses 1-26.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

 1) Consider Paul's defense before King Agrippa.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 26:1-26...  

Paul went before King Agrippa and made his defense. In the beginning, Paul reviewed his life as a Jew - before his conversion. King Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak for himself. Paul began by acknowledging that Agrippa was an "expert" in the Jewish customs and questions concerning the Jews.

Paul told of his former life as a Jew/Pharisee. Paul had spent his early life in Jerusalem - all the Jews knew this. He was a member of the strictest sect, the Pharisees. Paul noted that he was being judged for the "hope of the promise made by God to our fathers." Paul reiterated that this was the core of the accusation - this "hope." Paul asked Agrippa, "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"

Paul then stated that he originally thought he should act contrary to Jesus. He cast Christians into prison, voted for their deaths, punished them, compelled them to blaspheme; he even persecuted them to foreign cities. Paul then told of the Lord's appearance on the road to Damascus. While Paul was engaged in persecuting Christians, he journeyed toward Damascus.

At midday, a bright light shone on him and his companions. They all fell to the ground. The Lord spoke to Paul in the Hebrew language. The Lord identified Himself as Jesus. The Lord told Paul of the purpose of His appearing: to make him a minister and witness of the things he had seen and of the things that would be revealed to him. Paul was sent by the Lord to the Gentiles, to open their eyes - that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

Paul told Agrippa that he had to be obedient to the heavenly vision. He declared the Gospel in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea, and then to the Gentiles. Paul told the Gentiles to "repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance." He said for these things the Jews seized him at the temple and tried to kill him. He recognized that God had helped him to that very time.

Paul only preached those things which the prophets and Moses had said would come to pass: that Christ would suffer; that Christ would be the first to rise from the dead; and, that He would proclaim light to the Jews and Gentiles.

Festus then interrupted Paul. He interjected at Paul's defense with a loud voice. He said, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" Paul replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak words of truth and reason." He pointed out that Agrippa knew of these things. Paul further noted that none of these things had been "done in a corner."  (1-26)

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What did Paul indicate that King Agrippa was "expert" in? (Acts 26:3)
2) In what city did Paul state that from his youth he spent with his own nation? (Acts 26:4)
3) What sect had Paul been a part?  What word did he use to describe it? (Acts 26:5)
4) What did Paul say he was being judged for? (Acts 26:6)
5) [Fill in the blank] "Why should it be thought ___________ by you that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:8)
6) List some of the things that Paul did "contrary to the name of Jesus." (Acts 26:9-12)
7) What did Paul see on the road to Damascus? What time of day? How bright was it? (Acts 26:12-13)
8) After falling to the ground, what language did the Lord speak to Paul? (Acts 26:14)
9) What did the voice ask Paul? (Acts 26:14)
10) Who did the voice say he was? (Acts 26:15)
11) Why did the Lord appear to Paul? (Acts 26:16)
12) To whom (what people) was Paul sent? (Acts 26:17)
13) What was Paul to do for these people?  For what purpose? (Acts 26:18)
14) What did Paul declare that they should do? (Acts 26:19-20)
15) Because of his obedience to that heavenly vision, what did the Jews do to Paul? (Acts 26:21)
16) How was Paul able to stand before Agrippa that day? (Acts 26:22)
17) What 3 things did Paul say in accordance with the prophets and Moses? (Acts 26:22-23)
18) What did Festus say to Paul at this point? (Acts 26:24)
19) How did Paul respond to Festus? (Acts 26:25)
20) Where were all of these things NOT done? (Acts 26:26)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!  

Sheri