Monday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 25
22 “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said.
And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”
Paul Speaks to Agrippa
23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
22 “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said.
And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”
Paul Speaks to Agrippa
23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
Commentary:
25:23–26:32 Paul Witnesses to Agrippa II. Amid considerable pomp (25:23–27), Paul testified before the king (in fulfillment of 9:15). Of the three “defense” speeches (chs. 22, 24, 26), this one before Agrippa gives the most detailed exposition of the gospel.
Questions:
- In Acts 25, Paul is once again defending himself against all the false accusations brought forward from the Jewish leaders. Eventually Paul appeals his case all the way up to the Emperor. But first, King Agrippa wanted to hear his case. Verse 23 talks about Agrippa showing up with great pomp and a whole lot of prominent men with him. And on the other side, all alone, is Paul, who once again is defending the fact the he saw Jesus risen from the dead. Clayton compared this to Martin Luther, who in the 1500's was standing before an emperor, defending himself against the allegations made by the pope. Luther presented his case to more than 200 nobles and archbishops, and he stood alone. But "With God," Luther proclaimed, "one is the majority." He is also quoted to have said to those accusing him, "My conscience is captive to the Word of God! I therefore cannot, and I will not recant! Here I stand. I can do no other." THAT is conviction of belief. What is your level of conviction in YOUR faith and in what the Bible says is true? Would you have the same resolve of Luther and Paul if you were in a similar position?
- We've talked quite a bit in recent weeks about how we need to be able to defend our faith, just like Paul has done over and over. Peter tells us to ALWAYS be ready to give a defense of the hope we have in Jesus. Could you give someone a short, reasonable, compelling defense of your faith? When was the last time you made your case to someone? Who can you share with today?
Pray:
- That you would always be prepared to share your faith.
- That God would put someone in your path today that needs Him.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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