A Strategy for Life’s Tempests
As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor […]
Storms in Life
When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose; they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. But not long afterwards, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way […]
Especially the gift of prophecy…
As Luke closes chapter 26 of Acts he adds a comment that is as much an editorial as it is a quotation of Agrippa: …“This man [Paul] could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32, NIV). Nevertheless, Paul, did appeal to Caesar, so he and Luke and some friends […]
Three Legs of Evangelism
But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment… “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:25, […]
Walking in Faith
As he was making his defense this way, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad!” But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment. (Acts 26:24-25, HCSB) Sometimes I […]
A Stooping God
In Acts 26 Paul is continuing the defense of his ministry before the throne of King Agrippa. After explaining how he ended up in chains in court, Paul says: “But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike…” (Acts 26:22, NIV). It’s […]
Faith and Works
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. (Acts 26:19, HCSB) Ever wonder what sets apart the great men and women of faith? I believe it is implied here: obedience. Interestingly, the word used here can mean “to obey” or “to persuade.” The two ideas are tied tightly together: Paul obeyed the […]
Lord, Deliver Me from Christians
When Jesus appeared to Paul on the Road to Damascus, the Lord began to outline to the future apostle what his ministry would look like. Jesus said: I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them.(Acts 26:17, NIV) This is such an interesting statement to me. […]
Persecuting Whom?
“But I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ “And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (Acts 26:15, HCSB) If he wanted to fight the Lord on this, Paul had a pretty good argument. You see, he had never even met Jesus – he makes that clear elsewhere in his writings – so […]
The Gospel According to Euripides?
Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense… When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to […]
Some Dead Guy?
The Apostle Paul, who made an appeal to Caesar, was being passed from Festus to Agrippa. Apparently passing the buck has been around in politics since the first century. When Festus attempts to bring Agrippa up-to-speed on the Paul case, he gives an interesting description of the facts: Therefore, when they had assembled here, I […]
Appealing to Caesar
10 But Paul said [to Porcius Festus]: “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you can see very well. 11 If then I am doing wrong, or have done anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die, but […]
