King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Chapters: Acts 26-28
Message: Acts; Salvation Sent to The Gentiles
Hello My Friend,
As we come to the end of the reading of Acts, we learn how the Gospel was spread to Roman and officially made its way to the Gentile nations. In chains, yet free in Christ, he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with confidence knowing that he accomplished everything that he had hoped to accomplish in his ministry.
[Acts 28:28-31 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.]
We also learn that while one wrong decision can certainly send us down a whirlwind, God is faithful to help us weather the storm. He does not promise to remove it, but does promise that not one hair on onehead will perish, [Luke 21:16-19 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.]
I think about this passage and how many bald men wonder what they did to lose their hair and how this works for them. Jesus isn’t speaking literally about hair follicles here, He’s using a figure of speech to emphasize God’s complete care and preservation of the souls of His people. God has absolute sovereignty over our lives, even when the world seems against us, nothing can touch us apart from His will. The smallest detail of our being is under His care. We also lean that unless we abide with Christ none of this is possible, [John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.]
I am sure that when Paul had written to the believers in Rome and told them that he had planned to visit them, that he did not anticipate it as being a prisoner. Nevertheless, it appears that that was the case. Yesterday we read about Paul being transferred from the Jewish council to the Roman courts in an attempt to have him executed for not only going against the Law of Moses, but bringing Gentiles into the Temple. This had been going on for three years. Finally, Festus brought him to the king in hopes to just end it. Now, Paul, is standing before King Agrippa and Festus, where he is given the opportunity to speak freely.
[Acts 26:1-6 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:]
Paul acknowledges the king as being a Jew, then goes on to point out that before he received Christ as his Saviour he lived his life as a devout Pharisee, which any Pharisee there should have known, [Acts 26:8-11 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.]
Why should any believer in God ever doubt His power? He is the Creator of all things, the One who spoke existence into being. Surely, then, He is able to raise the dead. Yet until we truly grasp what Christ has done for us personally, we often live contrary to His name, shaped more by the religion in which we were raised than by His truth. For me, growing up Catholic meant that my life was bound by rules and rituals rather than by the saving work of Jesus. But when our eyes are opened to see that what we have been taught stands in contrast to the very heart of Christ, that is when we finally come to grips with our desperate need for Him. Paul, goes on to tell of the day that he got saved.
[Acts 26:12-17 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,]
Notice that Paul keeps acknowledging the king, whenever we are giving our own testimony it is wise to keep acknowledging them as a person. We may not even know who the person is, but we can make things more personable by addressing them by their name, knowing that the one thing we all have in common is that we are sinners. I can picture Paul as he stands there, kind of like a lawyer does before a judge and jury, giving his closing argument. He goes on to say that what he was saying in regards to Jesus sacrificing His life for both Jews and Gentiles was already written in the Scriptures.
[Acts 26:19-23 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.]
While it is recorded that Jesus in His power did in fact raise some from the dead when He walked the earth, this is referring to when He is the first to resurrect after His passion. This enabled believers all the way back to Adam to not only receive eternal life, but immortality when they are resurrected once Jesus returns, [1 Corinthians 15:52-53 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.]
Of course, to the true believer of God, the thought of escaping hell simply by trusting Christ as our Saviour we jumped at the opportunity. However, to the ones who do not, we are completely insane to them. As Paul was speaking, Festus shouts with a loud voice, that Paul is beside himself, [Acts 26:24-27 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.]
Paul responded with boldness, simply declaring the truth. It is sobering for both believers and unbelievers to realize that we are all sinners, yet what confounds many is that salvation comes only through faith in Christ. Well, king Agrippa was very impressed by Paul’s testimony.
[Acts 26:28-32 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.]
This reminds me of a pastor who once claimed a young man was “close to being saved.” But there is no such thing as being close. You either believe in Christ and accept Him, or you do not. No amount of reading Scripture or human persuasion can save anyone apart from genuine faith in the Saviour. Paul himself would have gladly remained in chains if only Agrippa, or anyone present, had truly received Christ. There really is an unspeakable joy that comes from seeing someone receive Christ as their Saviour, it makes all the affliction seem like nothing. Agrippa, would have actually released him if he did not requested to appeal his case to Caesar. So, after all that he was put on a prison ship headed for Italy, and it was not a smooth trip.
[Acts 27:1-4 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.]
Notice how even though Paul was as a prisoner, he still had some freedom. I will tell you this, the world will listen to us to some extent, but when it comes to accepting the fact that their souls are in danger they will not. Now, being put on a ship headed to the fair havens, Paul warns them not to do that.
[Acts 27:6-10 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.]
Fair Havens still exists today on the southeastern coast of Crete. In Paul’s time, it was not so much a harbor as an open roadstead, a kind of waiting area, providing good anchorage for a season. The centurion likely assumed that passing through there would shield them somewhat from the high winds. Yet the counsel to remain was ignored, and instead they pressed on, sailing directly into the fury of a hurricane.
[Acts 27:11-15 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.]
This is a reminder that even when we make the wrong decisions the best thing to do is let go and let God take the wheel. Paul, left them alone for a while as they were scrambling to save themselves. When they finally gave up the fight in their own might, that was when Paul spoke out, [Acts 27:20-22 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.]
After giving them the famous, “I told you so” speech, he proceeded to tell them of all things to “Be of good cheer.” Well, the reason he told them that was because he had gotten a visit from an angel. He makes sure to point out that he was an angel of the God of whom is his and whom he serves.
[Acts 27:23-26,29-31 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.]
This truth echoes the days of Noah. Only those who remained in the Ark were saved from the flood. In the same way, Jesus is the true Ark, the ship of salvation. To abide in Him is to be secure, no matter how fierce the storm. If we do not abide in the ship we cannot be saved, and sadly, many do jump off, but those who endure until they breathe their last breath will be saved, [Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.]
Surrendering to God’s direction, even when it means being carried by the storm, is the very act of faith that secures our salvation. This time the men listened to Paul, they took up the anchors and let the storm guide the ship and it was a scary ride to say the least.
[Acts 27:32-37 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.]
There is something about knowing that God will see you through any storm that truly brings good cheer. The storm was not finished, it tore the ship apart, scattering men into the sea, clinging to boards and broken pieces just to stay afloat. Yet even in the chaos, God’s hand guided them close to shore.
[Acts 27:10-44 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.]
The soldiers had planned to kill the prisoners, but the centurion, determined to save Paul, stopped them. Those who could swim were commanded to strike out for shore, while the rest clung to fragments of the ship until they floated safely to land. This is a reminder that salvation is not reserved only for the strong or the faithful who seem to carry the weight of the storm. It is also for the weak, the unfaithful, and the broken, those who have nothing left to offer but their hearts to Jesus, [1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.]
And just as God had promised, every one of the two hundred and seventy-six men onboard arrived safely on land. This tiny little island was about twelve miles broad, twenty miles long, and sixty sixty miles from Sicily. It yields an abundance of honey, with much cotton, and was very fruitful, although it has only three feet depth of earth above the solid rock. When they arrive, they received great hospitality by the inhabitants when all of a sudden a viper comes out of the bundle of sticks, and grabs on to Paul’s hand.
[Acts 28:1-5 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.]
While Paul thought nothing of this venomous snake biting him, the people sure did. They were convinced that such misfortune meant Paul was guilty of some great wickedness. Many religions and cultures share this belief that suffering is always punishment and that bad things happen only because someone has angered God. Yet Paul’s response was simple: he shook the creature into the fire and felt no harm. His calmness revealed a deeper truth: suffering is not always punishment, and God’s presence can turn even danger into testimony. The men stood by, waiting for him to swell up or fall dead. Instead, they became dumbfounded, and even intrigued when they saw that he was perfectly fine.
[Acts 28:6-9 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:]
It must have taken nearly six months for Paul to reach Italy. Through storms, shipwreck, and delay, he never lost faith in the God who was with him. Wherever the Holy Spirit led, Paul bore witness to the Gospel, no matter his circumstances. One of the reasons God allows tragedy is so that others may be led to Him, and Paul’s journey is proof of that. When he finally arrived in Rome, something strange and wonderful happened.
[Acts 28:11-16 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.]
Though Paul was delivered to the captain of the guard, he was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier to keep him. Even in confinement, God gave him space to continue his mission. Three days later, Paul gathered the chief of the Jews and explained his situation. To his surprise, they had received no word from Judea about him.
[Acts 28:17,20-22 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.]
Paul declared that he was bound for the hope of Israel, meaning the hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Paul, had a great burden to see the Jews get saved, and that was the drive that he kept with him until he was executed. As much as we think that everyone is against us that is not true, and there are plenty of people who want to hear the Gospel. The Jewish leaders in Rome responded with interest. They admitted that Christianity was “spoken against everywhere,” yet desired to hear Paul’s thoughts.
[Acts 28:23-26 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:]
Paul’s example reminds us that our task is to proclaim Christ faithfully. The results belong to God. Some will believe, some will not, but the Word never returns void, [Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for saving my life, You did the hard part when You died on the cross for me, my part was easy, all I had to do was believe in You. Thank You for seeing something in me that I never saw in myself, You have a purpose for me, and I know I am only who I am today because of what You have done in my life. Lord, Give me Your power and strength to stay in the ship, moving slow and steady by faith. Lift up my spirits, restore unto me the joy of my salvation, so that I may be of good cheer, and become an effective witness wherever you send me. Let me not fear what man can do to me, but trust what You have done for me. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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