The Affirmation of Paul the Apostle: Resurrection Sunday! (Acts 26:19–23)

Note: In Chapter 21, Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit of God warned Paul that bonds and affliction awaited him there.

Note: In Chapter 21:12, Luke begs Paul not to go as well. 

Note: But it’s settled in Paul’s mind that he would go to Jerusalem, even if it meant death. 

Acts 21:13

¹³ Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Note: When Paul arrived at Jerusalem, the church gladly received him.

Note: They rejoice in the great work being done among the Gentiles. 

Note: When Paul was recognized at the Temple by unbelieving Jews from Asia, he was attacked by a mob. 

Acts 21:28

²⁸ Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

Note: Roman Soldiers quickly break up the mob and take Paul into protective custody. 

Note: When they realized that Paul wasn’t an Egyptian revolutionist.

Note: They allow Paul to address the People in the Hebrew tongue in Chapter 22.

Note: When Paul spoke Hebrew, they listened to what he had to say. 

Note: In Acts Chapter 22, Paul is preaching to this angry crowd of people. 

Note: He recounts his birth, his training as a loyal Jew, and his conversion on the road to Damascus.

Note: Paul declares that he was indeed following God’s orders. 

Note: This really concludes Paul’s Third Missionary Journey, in 10 years Paul had preached the Gospel to almost every major city in Asia Minor and Greece. 

Note: The crowd isn’t satisfied with Paul’s answer. 

Note: In Chapter 23, Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin. 

Note: Knowing that he would not receive a fair hearing. In wisdom, he divides the group. The Pharisees and the Sadducees. 

Note: The council is divided, and so Paul is brought to the castle for safekeeping.

Note: As Paul sits alone in prison. God speaks to him.

Acts 23:11

¹¹ And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Note: There were Jews that had banded together and made an oath, that they would not eat or drink until Paul was dead. 

Note: Paul’s Nephew learns this and warns the military of their plot to kill Paul. 

Note: Paul is transferred under heavy guard to a provincial capital at Caesarea.

Note: He stands before the high priest, who commands Paul to be slapped in the mouth. 

Note: Paul calls the high priest a whitted wall. A whitted wall is a dirty wall that’s made to look clean. 

Note: Someone said in verse 4 or chapter 23, revilest thou God’s High Priest? 

Note: To which Paul responded, I didn’t know it was the High Priest by the way that he acted.

Note: In chapter 24, Paul stands before Felix. 

Note: The lawyer that represents the High Priest (Ananias), brings the charges. 

Note: Paul presses that they show proof of such charges. 

Note: Paul confesses to be a follower after the “the way.” But this isn’t a new religion, but the true way of the Jews according to the Scriptures. 

Note: The trial is postponed, and Paul is returned to prison. 

Note: Later in that Scripture, Paul preaches to Felix and his wife, and Felix trembles at the message of Paul.

Acts 24:25

²⁵ And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Note: He dismissed Paul back to the prison, and said he would call for him when he was needed.  

Note: Paul sits in that prison for 2 years. 

Note: Festus replaces Felix as governor, and the High Priest, again, tries to charge Paul. 

Note: But Paul appeals to Caesar in Rome, believing that only in the Roman court, he would receive a fair trial. 

Note: When King Agrippa and Bernice visit Festus, the Governor tells them of Paul’s case that he inherited. 

Note: They didn’t have anything to charge Paul with, so Festus has a great idea. 

Note: You talk to Paul and find something that we can charge this man with before he goes to Rome. 

Note: Before King Agrippa, Paul once again tells his story. 

Note: He tells him about his conversion and God-Given commission to preach the Gospel. 

Note: Paul is excited about what God is doing in His life. 

Note: To the point that Festus said, Paul, you’re mad. 

Note: I want us to notice what Paul said to King Agrippa in Acts 26: 19-23

Acts 26:19–23

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. 

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.

Note: I want us to notice the words of Paul to King Agrippa in verse 23. 

Note: This will be the foundation of my message this morning. 

Note: Jesus would die, and be buried, but He would be raised from the dead.