In these past chapters (chapters 21-25) Paul has defended himself four times against accusations of blaspheming the Jewish laws and plotting treason against the Romans state. Paul's response is that - in principle - the Gospel both supports the rule of Caesar (25:8-12) and fulfils the long-awaited hope of Israel (26: 6-8). He is both a loyal citizen of Rome and faithful son of Israel. But due process must take its course (see 26:32), and here in Acts 26, Luke records Paul's his fifth and final defence against the accusations made against him, this time - before the King.
We may never be asked to account for our beliefs and behaviour before Governors and Royalty, but there are practical lessons we may glean as to how to share our own conversion story when the opportunities arise. Broadly, Paul tells of his life before conversion (v4-5, 9-11), what happened at conversion (v13-18), then what happened next as a new believer in Jesus (v18-23). In all this, Paul tells us as it is (v12-16), to others (v17-18), in God's strength (v22), in God's way (v22-23), despite ridicule (v24) and ending with an appeal (v27-29).
John Stott comments: The task of Christian witness is to focus on Christ. Testimony is not a synonym for autobiography. Our own experience may illustrate, but should not dominate, our testimony.
Historians have long recognised the value of Acts 27 as an accurate record of ancient seamanship, particularly in dangerous conditions. However, of greater value to us, is what this chapter has to teach us about the life of faith. For the way we endure a crisis reveals the nature of our faith: whether our faith is an active and vital reliance upon God or just a fair-weather adornment. In these chapters, we see the Gospel lived out in the life of Paul perhaps more than we hear it proclaimed. There's a time for both. As we noted last time so here, Paul's faith is exercised and stretched in circumstances that are imposed by others (Acts 26:31 - Acts 27:8,11), imposed by life (27:4b,9ff) and imposed by God (v24). But when Christ rules over your heart you can (learn to) be content when God overrules the details of your life. Paul was not tyrannised by the circumstances he encountered. With a mature faith, neither should we.
"And so we came to Rome" (28:14). Paul, anticipating an immediate backlash and well-rehearsed denunciation from the local Jewish leaders, gathers them together so that they can hear his version of events personally. But to his surprise, his name and reputation are not known (v17-22). But they do want to hear more about the Gospel, and Paul unsurprisingly obliges (v23). Once more, opinion among the Jewish listeners is divided. And so the book concludes with Paul preaching and teaching to anyone who will listen - Jew and Gentile alike - under the authority, and with the blessing, of Christ.
As is often noted, the book of Acts may have ended but "the Story" has not yet finished. An American pastor from the 19th C, AT Pierson wrote: Church of Christ! The records of these acts of the Holy Ghost have never reached completeness. This is the one book which has no proper close because it waits for new chapters to be so fast and so far as the people of God shall reinstate the blessed Spirit in His holy seat of control!
What chapters will God someday write up in the future of all that Jesus did and accomplished through us (see Acts 1:1)?
John Stott comments: The task of Christian witness is to focus on Christ. Testimony is not a synonym for autobiography. Our own experience may illustrate, but should not dominate, our testimony.
Historians have long recognised the value of Acts 27 as an accurate record of ancient seamanship, particularly in dangerous conditions. However, of greater value to us, is what this chapter has to teach us about the life of faith. For the way we endure a crisis reveals the nature of our faith: whether our faith is an active and vital reliance upon God or just a fair-weather adornment. In these chapters, we see the Gospel lived out in the life of Paul perhaps more than we hear it proclaimed. There's a time for both. As we noted last time so here, Paul's faith is exercised and stretched in circumstances that are imposed by others (Acts 26:31 - Acts 27:8,11), imposed by life (27:4b,9ff) and imposed by God (v24). But when Christ rules over your heart you can (learn to) be content when God overrules the details of your life. Paul was not tyrannised by the circumstances he encountered. With a mature faith, neither should we.
"And so we came to Rome" (28:14). Paul, anticipating an immediate backlash and well-rehearsed denunciation from the local Jewish leaders, gathers them together so that they can hear his version of events personally. But to his surprise, his name and reputation are not known (v17-22). But they do want to hear more about the Gospel, and Paul unsurprisingly obliges (v23). Once more, opinion among the Jewish listeners is divided. And so the book concludes with Paul preaching and teaching to anyone who will listen - Jew and Gentile alike - under the authority, and with the blessing, of Christ.As is often noted, the book of Acts may have ended but "the Story" has not yet finished. An American pastor from the 19th C, AT Pierson wrote: Church of Christ! The records of these acts of the Holy Ghost have never reached completeness. This is the one book which has no proper close because it waits for new chapters to be so fast and so far as the people of God shall reinstate the blessed Spirit in His holy seat of control!
What chapters will God someday write up in the future of all that Jesus did and accomplished through us (see Acts 1:1)?
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