Acts 26:1-32

I WAS NOT DISOBEDIENT TO THE VISION FROM HEAVEN

Acts 26:1-32, Lesson 29
Key Verse: 26:19 NIU UBF 2-22-09
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”

Chapter 26 is Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. Paul was on trial. Yet Paul does not try to save himself. Paul tries to save Agrippa by sharing a gospel message undergirded by his own personal testimony. Essentially, it is a one-to-one Bible study between Paul and Agrippa. Today we learn Paul’s gospel faith and shepherd’s heart that is not squelched even when under trial. Through it we learn how to testify to all kinds of people, including kings. Most of all, we learn that God has given us a great vision and, like Paul, we should not be disobedient to the vision from heaven.

First, Paul’s Hope In The Resurrection (1-11).

In verses 1-3 Paul begins his defense before King Agrippa. Let’s read them together, “ 1Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.” First, who is King Agrippa? This was Herod Agrippa ll, son of Herod Agrippa l, and a descendant of Herod the Great. He had power over the temple, controlled the temple treasury and could appoint and remove the High Priest. Bernice was the sister of Herod Agippa ll. She married her uncle, Herod Chalis, became a mistress to her brother Agrippa ll, and then became a mistress to the emperor Vespasian’s son, Titus. Here Agrippa and Bernice had made an official visit to Festus.
In Paul’s opening address, Paul acknowledged that Agrippa knew the Jewish customs and controversies well. So Paul freely explained his conflict with the Jewish leaders. At one time he was one of them, a member of the strictest sect–the Pharisees. Pharisees were known for their extreme self-discipline, devotion to study and loyalty to Judaism. From a young age they had to memorize at least the first five books of Moses. When his friends came over to ask him to come out to play his mom would say, “Not now, little Saul is memorizing the Scripture.” Later on they studied all kinds of theology and secular subjects. They appeared religious and pious. But Jesus revealed their true face. Jesus once told the Pharisees that they did not study the Bible to know Christ and have life (Jn 5:40). Rather, they studied the Bible to acquire knowledge by which they gained a privileged position in the Judaistic system. The desire to hold political power and gain economic benefit made them blind Bible students who could not find God through their Bible studies.

When Jesus came as the Messiah, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mark 1:15) the Pharisees’ question was, “How will this affect my job and my position in my society?” They knew that if Jesus were the Messiah he would fulfill the law and the prophets. Then there would be no more need for the temple, the priestly system or sophisticated interpretations of oral laws passed down for centuries. In other words, the Pharisees would be out of a job and all they have given their hearts and their lives towards will come to not. When they realized this, they rejected Jesus’ claim aggressively. But Jesus never compromised with them. They needed to trust Matthew 6:33 which says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” He taught that they were like old wineskins. They need to repent, accept the new wine of the gospel. They need to be ready to be retrained for new roles in the Christian church and relocate if necessary. But they got stuck in their fixed ways. Jesus could not use the likes of these. And so Jesus started a new history with twelve disciples. Jesus was sure that his disciples, who were flexible and dynamic, would inherit the blessing of God for world mission. Eventually they would conquer the world with the gospel, but first there would be a transition in God’s history, shifting from Judaism to the Christian church, especially the Gentile church, which Paul had pioneered. So we can understand why the Pharisees felt threatened by this gospel ministry.

Before conversion, Paul, too, thought that he should oppose Jesus. He even thought he was doing God’s will. In verses 9-11 he describes his activity. Let’s read these verses, “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” He kidnapped and tortured sincere Christians. Paul tried to force Christians to blaspheme. It was nothing but the work of the devil. He said, “In my obsession against them....” He could not stop thinking about Christians day and night. His consuming thought was to wipe them off the face of the earth. Now, the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Paul were doing the same thing. Sometimes we wonder why anti-Christians work so earnestly against the gospel instead of just forgetting about Christians and freely enjoying their lives in the world. It is because they suffer from the same obsession that Paul had, an obsession that leads to demon possession. When Paul saw the misery of the Jewish leaders, he had compassion on them for he knew that it was only by the great mercy of God that he was saved from the same darkness that was enslaving their hearts. Paul realized that what they really needed was a changed hope that the gospel could bring.

When Paul met the Risen Christ, he found the hope of resurrection. He said in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Jesus’ resurrection is God’s victory over death. Jesus’ resurrection opened the way to eternal life in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is forever. 1 Peter 1:3,4, reads, “ 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,” Paul was on trial because he had this hope. The real issue between Paul and the Jewish leaders was about hope. Paul had a living hope in the kingdom of God. They had a dead hope in the system of Judaism. They were like a monkey that is hunted in India. Do you know how some people hunt monkeys? They get a jar with an opening, only big enough for a monkey to hardly push his extended fingers through. When the monkey sticks his hand into a hole to grab some nuts, example, he can not get his hand out without letting go of the nuts. In his illusion, he thinks that he can possess the handful of nuts forever and he never lets go. Finally the hunter comes along and grabs him. This happens to all who cling to dead hope in the perishing world. They never let go and death and judgment are soon to follow. Paul wanted to share his living hope with those entrapped under the power of death. And he knew that is former colleges were not far from this living hope. That is why he says in verse 8. “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” They were so close and yet so far.

According to one news reporter, 82% of Americans call themselves Christians. A good many of them are “cultural Christians” who believe in Jesus to have a better life in this world. They hope to get a nice wife or a decent husband, a good education, a good job, and so on. However, a genuine Christian is one whose hope is in the kingdom of God through the resurrection of Christ. Christians who have resurrection hope are powerful and free. They can testify to Jesus’ name before governors and kings, before presidents, before family, friends and classmates, whatever the consequences may be. Now America is in a fierce spiritual battle; it is a battle for the soul of our nation. We are becoming like Europe where over one million people a year are leaving the church. We are slowly becoming like the Roman Empire. Christians must be the salt of the earth, the light of the world. This will be costly. But with hope in the resurrection we can stand for God’s truth as Paul did. Jesus is the only hope in this generation wallowing in the darkness. May God help us teach God’s word as it is, with resurrection faith. Amen.

Second, The Risen Christ Had Compassion On Paul (12-15).

In verses 12-15 Paul explained how he met the Risen Christ. “ On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15"Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'” When he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, he saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around him and his companions. This bright light was the presence of the holy God (1Jn 1:5). When this bright light of the Risen Christ shone on Paul, it illuminated his dark inner person…fully. This divine light of the Risen Christ changed Paul into a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17) After this, Paul could be a light to the Gentiles, pointing to the great light, Jesus. We see many dark and dirty things in this world. We are burdened with our own sinful natures. But when we look at the light of Christ through sincere prayer and Bible study, he renews our souls, makes in to new creations and light to others.

The Risen Christ spoke to Paul. He said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” The Risen Christ knew Paul by name. He is our personal God. The Risen Christ helped him realize what he was doing. He was persecuting God Almighty, the glorious Risen Christ. Then the Risen Christ said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” It was an exact description of Paul’s inner life. A goad was a sharp prod used to drive draft animals forward by pricking their backsides. Most animals go forward when prodded, but some are rebellious. They kick against the goads. They resist to the point of self-destruction.
Outwardly, Paul looked like a pious man trying to do the will of God as he knew it. But inwardly, he was suffering more than those he persecuted. Each time he damaged a Christian, he damaged his own soul more. His life was too hard to endure any longer. The Risen Christ understood his suffering. The Risen Christ visited him to help him surrender to the sovereign call of God. The Risen Christ had great compassion on this most rebellious man. This compassion melted Paul’s heart and he recognized Jesus as the Lord. Paul surrendered to the compassion of Christ. It also became the foundation for Paul to be a compassionate shepherd for so many. We must stop and realize how the Risen Christ is so compassionate toward each one of us. We may not meet him in a blaze of light, like Paul did. But when we simply believe his word of promise, he comes into our hearts, forgives our sins and makes us compassionate shepherds.

Third, The Risen Christ Appointed Paul As His Servant (16-19).

Meeting the Risen Christ was a dramatic experience for Paul. He might have felt he needed time to digest its meaning. But the Risen Christ said in verse 16, “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.” The Risen Christ wanted Paul to stand up before him as a new creation, ready to begin his new life…right away. The Risen Christ immediately appointed Paul as a servant of God, as a witness of the Risen Christ. It was the most successful example of raising a disciple in history. In a few minutes, he was changed from God’s enemy into the Apostle Paul, God’s chosen servant for world salvation. From this point on, Paul lived the rest of his life with this clear identity. He was a servant of Christ Jesus, set apart for the gospel of God.

Paul knew that his drastic transformation would have consequences. The Jews would want to kill him. However, the Risen Christ promised Paul, “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles” (17a). The Risen Christ would rescue him. No one is wiser than the Risen Christ. No one is stronger than the Risen Christ. When the Risen Christ says he will rescue a person, that person will be rescued. Paul accepted this promise of protection in his heart. Paul entrusted his life to the Risen Christ. From that time on, he boldly went wherever the Risen Christ sent him, with the full assurance of God’s protection.

The Risen Christ saved Paul to use him as a blessing to the whole world. Verses 17b-18 say, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” The world is in the darkness and under the power of Satan. God sent Paul to turn people from darkness to light, from Satan to God. The Risen Christ wanted all people of all nations to hear the gospel and be saved. The Risen Christ wanted God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. This was the vision of the Risen Christ. Paul was chosen to carry out this vision.

Fourth, “I Was Not Disobedient To The Vision From Heaven” (19-23).

How did Paul respond to God’s vision? Look at verse 19. “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” In saying this, he was acknowledging God’s sovereignty in world salvation work. He did not choose Jesus. Jesus chose him. Jesus appointed him for the mission when he was living as Jesus’ enemy. Paul did nothing but surrender to the grace and calling of Jesus. It was God who was carrying out the work of world salvation. Sometimes Paul could do nothing. Once he said, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2Cor 1:8b,9). Paul believed that when he was not disobedient, God would intervene. When he depended on God with resurrection hope, God empowered him with God’s strength. So he did not credit himself with a positive obedience, but only as one who totally depended on God.

Let’s examine the facts of God’s protection to Paul. After his conversion, Paul began to preach the gospel in Damascus, where he had been planning to persecute Christians. He preached so boldly and decisively that the Jewish leaders tried to kill him. So he escaped in a basket. Later, he went to Jerusalem and preached. Again, the unbelieving Jews wanted to kill him. He had to escape. He went to all Judea. Then he went to the Gentiles through three mission journeys. It was God’s power, especially the resurrection power of Christ, that had brought him thus far. Now he was on the way to Rome. These are the facts. Can you trust Jesus with your life and ministry?

Paul’s gospel ministry was not his own idea. It was God’s work according to the vision from heaven. It was also rooted in God’s promises in Scripture. It was part of what Moses and the Prophets foretold. Look at verses 22-23. “But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen–that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” Having vision for yourself should never begin, “I feel God is calling me to this.” It is never based on feelings, but on the facts. It must be based on the facts of the history of what God has been doing, the facts of what God is presently doing in your life and the facts of the word of God. As a ministry, God has given us a vision from heaven to establish a Jesus centered house church on every campus in Canada and the United States. We have vision to establish North America as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. For us at NIU UBF, we have vision to establish a life giving discipleship ministry, at NIU, through 1:1 Bible study and house church ministry. In God’s time we can be used to pioneer the D.E.A.R. area, (DeKalb, Elgin, Aurora, Rockford) Indeed God wants to turn the hearts of young people from the darkness of sin and death to the light of Jesus. God is using our one-to-one Bible study to do so. Still, it is a fierce spiritual battle that few want to join in. Sometimes we wonder if it is worth the cost. Sometimes we feel helpless. Sometimes we feel alone. Sometimes we cannot say, “I was obedient.” But at least we must say, “I was not disobedient.” When we depend totally on God and have resurrection hope we can be used by God, like Paul was. May God grant Julie resurrection faith and hope to plant the seeds of the prayer at Wabansee Community College in Aurora as she studies accounting there.

Fifth, Paul Appeals To King Agrippa (24-32).

At this point, Festus interrupted Paul, saying, “You are out of your mind Paul.” In modern terms it would be, “You are crazy!” To the unspiritual man, resurrection, God’s vision, and eternal life do not make sense. (Or if they can understand it, they think it is useless.) However, Paul used this interruption wisely. Paul said, “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” (25-27) Paul believed that Agrippa, deep down in his heart, had a holy desire and boldly appealed to it. Paul wanted Agrippa to make a decision of faith to accept Jesus as his Savior. Agrippa realized this. Surprised, he said, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (28) Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (29) Here we see Paul’s earnest prayer for King Agrippa and all in attendance. Paul had a broken shepherd heart for them. Paul had a prayer for them to be children of God and servants of the gospel, just as he was. Where did it come from? It was from the Risen Christ, who had compassion on him when he was lost in the darkness of his sin.

In this passage we learned the importance of resurrection hope. The things of the world all perish, spoil and fade away. But through the resurrection of Christ, God gives us the kingdom of God as our inheritance, which is everlasting. This is our true hope. We also learned that God has given us a vision from heaven. It is to pioneer every campus in Canada and the United States with the gospel of Jesus through 1:1 Bible study and a “Jesus Centered” house church ministry. Ours is NIU. We did not choose God. God chose us to be his servants. May God help each one of us totally depend on God so we may not be disobedient to his vision.