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: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Chapters: Acts Chapters 26-28
Message: Persuaded or Almost Persuaded
Hello My Friend,
When I began reading the chapters for today two things came to mind, all faithful saved born again Christians represent themselves as Christ’s people and we will all give an account to our faith, but something else just came to mind as well, while not everyone will be receptive to our faith, the important thing to remember is that we did what we could with God’s help. Some will be persuaded, many will not, and some will almost be persuaded, but sadly, that not be enough for them to accept Christ themselves. It is a reminder from Jesus, who quoted what Isaiah said long ago.
[Matthew 13:14-16 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.]
Yesterday we read about Paul being transferred from the Jewish council to the Roman in an attempt to have him executed for not only going against the Law of Moses, but bringing Gentiles into the Temple and this had been going on for three years. Now, as we come to the end of the reading of Acts, 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:]
[am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:] Paul, first 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 should have known. He goes on to tell them how he got saved.
[Acts 26:8-10,13,19-20 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. 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. 19 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.]
[O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:] 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 we all have one thing in common, we are all sinners, []
Keep in mind that we cannot be an effective witness unless we first acknowledge that it is God who got is where we are today. As Paul continues speak he points out that God helped him in his ministry, and has been a faithful witness from the day he got saved, first preaching the Gospel to the Jews and then Gentiles.
[Acts 26:22-26 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. 24 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.]
[that he should be the first that should rise from the dead] While it is recorded that Jesus in His power did in fact raise some from the dead when He walked the earth, 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.]
[Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself;] I do not know what was going through his mind as Paul was speaking, but Festus sure proved what all hardhearted people think whenever they are presented with the Gospel, that we are crazy for believing that a man can resurrect from the dead. My husband is always teasing me about believing everything I read, which I do not, but he cannot deny that some of the my homeopathic methods work as he has lost forty pounds since we got married. Those who walk by faith and with Christ do have the tendency to discern what is truth from the lives and just as Paul responded, [speak forth the words of truth and soberness.]
Well, Paul responded better than I would, pointing out he was just speaking the truth. It really is sobering to both believers and nonbelievers that we are all sinners, but what is dumbfounding to nonbelievers is the fact that the only way to be saved is through ones faith in Christ. Well, king Agrippa was very impressed by Paul’s testimony, but he was not entirely convinced that Jesus is the only way.
[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.]
[that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day,] Paul, would have gladly spent the rest of his life in prison if the king or anyone else there would have accepted Christ as their Saviour. There really is an unspeakable joy that comes from seeing someone receive Christ as their Saviour, it makes all the affliction we face seem like nothing. Sadly, there was nothing indicating that any of them truly accepted Him, but Agrippa still respected Paul’s belief and would have released him if he did not requested to appeal his case to Caesar. So, he was put on a prison ship headed for Italy, and it was not a smooth trip.
[Acts 27:1,3,9-11 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. 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. 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. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.]
[entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends] 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. Paul, tried to warn them that they should not go through the fair havens, but they refused to listen and headed straight for a hurricane.
[Acts 27:14-15,18-21 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. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 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.]
[all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.] Remember Luke is writing this so this is what he was seeing and feeling while they were there for days. [after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them,] Paul was still on the ship, he just watched them in silence while they were in their panic. After giving them the famous, “I told you so” speech, he proceeded to tell them of all things, “Be of good cheer.”. He makes sure to point out that he was an angel of the God of whom is his and whom he serves.
[Acts 27:22-26 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. 23 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.]
[God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.] Paul, assures them that every one of the men would not only survive, but arrive in one place. Well, the men listened and remained on the ship, then took up the anchors and let the storm guide the ship.
[Acts 27:29-33,35 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. 32 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. 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.]
[Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.] Just like when the flood came and only those who were on the Ark we saved, Jesus is the ship that we must be on in order to be saved. 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. Well, the men listened, they took up the anchors and let the storm guide the ship.
[Acts 27:37,40-43 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 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:]
[the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose;] This tiny little island is about twelve miles broad, twenty miles long, and sixty sixty miles from Sicily to the south. It yields an abundance of honey, with much cotton, and is very fruitful, although it has only three feet depth of earth above the solid rock. They are received with 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 28:1-4 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.]
[No doubt this man is a murderer,] The first thing people think of when something bad happens after we have endured a storm is that we clearly must have done something wrong. And we do not need people to put that question in our heads, we are very good of it ourselves. That is when God reminds us and them that we belong to Jesus, we are not perfect, and even if we did die from some fluke accident, we will still be safe in God’s hands, [2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.]
The men just stood there to watch Paul die haven been bitten, but became not only dumbfounded, but intrigued when they discovered that he was perfectly fine, [Acts 28:6,8-11 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. 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: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. 11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.]
[after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,] My goodness, it must have taken six months for them to get to Italy. Nevertheless, Paul, never lost his faith in God being right there with him, he witnessed the Gospel to anyone the Holy Spirit led him to no matter what he was going through. One of the main reasons why God allows tragedy in our lives is to lead others to Him. Well, Paul finally arrived in Rome, and something strange happened.
[Acts 28:16-20 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. 17 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. 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 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.]
[for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.] Paul, had a great burden to see the Jews get saved, and that was the chain that he kept with him until he was executed. Did you notice that the people did not even know that Paul was being sent there to appeal to Caesar? 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. Not everyone is going to listen and get saved, in fact, most will not, but the important thing is that we keep preaching the Gospel wherever we are led. In fact, Paul remained a prisoner in Rome for two years.
[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.]
[And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house,] While Paul had a good testimony to give on how he got saved, he also knew Scripture and that helped him be able to minister to more people. We do not need to know every line of Scripture to lead someone to Christ, we just need to tell our story, [2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.]
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 for that I am forever thankful, grateful, and humble as I know I am only who I am because of what You have done in my life. Lord, forgive me for my lack of faith through my own storms, I know that You love me, and have a purpose for what I am going through. 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. Help me to remove all the obstacles that keep me from hearing You, and 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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