Scripture verses:
Background passage: Acts 21:1-26:32
Focal passages: Acts 24:22-26, Acts 26:12-25, Acts 26: 26-27, Acts 26: 28-31
We are continuing our study of the book of Acts. In the passages covered this week, Paul has traveled to Jerusalem. Once there, he is arrested and imprisoned following a riot instigated by a group of Jewish men visiting from Asia. They saw Paul in the synagogue and incited the crowd against him. Once arrested by Claudius Lysias (the Roman commander), there is a plot to kill Paul and therefore, he is transferred to Caesarea. At Caesarea, Paul appears initially before Governor Felix. Governor Felix keeps Paul imprisoned and questions him over a two year period of time. After that, Felix is replaced by Festus and he eventually asks the region king (Agrippa) to hear Paul’s case.
We are focusing on Paul’s interaction with Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.
Think of 3 people that you interact with that you know are not Christians. As you study the passages, think about your witness to these people.
Acts 24:22-26
a. Felix’ motivation for having Paul come before him was to give Paul to opportunity to bribe Felix for Paul's release (v.26).
b. Paul took the opportunity not to argue for his freedom, but to witness to Felix (v.24-25).
c. Felix was already very familiar with the gospel (v.22) but Paul presented it anyway. Even though Felix had heard the gospel and not made a profession of faith, Paul kept talking.
d. We must take opportunities that arise to advance the gospel in the world, even to people that have power over us or that have heard the gospel previously. Too often, we focus only on what will advance our lives in the workplace, ball field, social circle, or present circumstance. Who on your list of 3 falls into this category? How can you “build a bridge” so that you can share the gospel with them on a regular basis.
Acts 26:12-25
a. In these verses, Paul is addressing King Agrippa but in verse 24, it is Festus who interrupts and ridicules Paul, claiming that Paul is “crazy”.
b. Paul does not respond with anger or an escalation in tone leading to an argument. Instead, he responds with respect to Festus (referring to him as “most excellent Festus”).
c. When we face confrontation or ridicule when presenting the gospel (and we will if we present it frequently), we must defuse the situation. If it becomes an argument, people will become close minded to the gospel…more focused on simply winning the argument and less receptive to what we are saying. Who on your list of 3 is likely to ridicule you for your faith and how can you respond to show respect for them? How can you “build a bridge” that will encourage them to at least listen calmly to what you are saying?
Acts 26:26-27
a. At this point, King Agrippa has been silent. He is Jewish and knows the scripture thoroughly.
b. Knowing this, Paul asks him a direct question that brings him to a point of acceptance or rejection of the gospel.
c. Who on your list of 3 has knowledge of the gospel and needs to be brought to a point of decision? How can you build a bridge to the point that you can raise the question to them?
Acts 26:28-31
a. King Agrippa rejects Paul’s invitation.
b. Paul’s response is one of concern and compassion, not condemnation. This attitude leaves a door open for Paul to speak to King Agrippa again in the future.
c. We need to understand and be prepared for people to reject the gospel. Who on your list of 3 is likely to reject your presentation of the gospel? How can you “build a bridge” and show concern/compassion for them?
Background passage: Acts 21:1-26:32
Focal passages: Acts 24:22-26, Acts 26:12-25, Acts 26: 26-27, Acts 26: 28-31
We are continuing our study of the book of Acts. In the passages covered this week, Paul has traveled to Jerusalem. Once there, he is arrested and imprisoned following a riot instigated by a group of Jewish men visiting from Asia. They saw Paul in the synagogue and incited the crowd against him. Once arrested by Claudius Lysias (the Roman commander), there is a plot to kill Paul and therefore, he is transferred to Caesarea. At Caesarea, Paul appears initially before Governor Felix. Governor Felix keeps Paul imprisoned and questions him over a two year period of time. After that, Felix is replaced by Festus and he eventually asks the region king (Agrippa) to hear Paul’s case.
We are focusing on Paul’s interaction with Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.
Think of 3 people that you interact with that you know are not Christians. As you study the passages, think about your witness to these people.
Acts 24:22-26
a. Felix’ motivation for having Paul come before him was to give Paul to opportunity to bribe Felix for Paul's release (v.26).
b. Paul took the opportunity not to argue for his freedom, but to witness to Felix (v.24-25).
c. Felix was already very familiar with the gospel (v.22) but Paul presented it anyway. Even though Felix had heard the gospel and not made a profession of faith, Paul kept talking.
d. We must take opportunities that arise to advance the gospel in the world, even to people that have power over us or that have heard the gospel previously. Too often, we focus only on what will advance our lives in the workplace, ball field, social circle, or present circumstance. Who on your list of 3 falls into this category? How can you “build a bridge” so that you can share the gospel with them on a regular basis.
Acts 26:12-25
a. In these verses, Paul is addressing King Agrippa but in verse 24, it is Festus who interrupts and ridicules Paul, claiming that Paul is “crazy”.
b. Paul does not respond with anger or an escalation in tone leading to an argument. Instead, he responds with respect to Festus (referring to him as “most excellent Festus”).
c. When we face confrontation or ridicule when presenting the gospel (and we will if we present it frequently), we must defuse the situation. If it becomes an argument, people will become close minded to the gospel…more focused on simply winning the argument and less receptive to what we are saying. Who on your list of 3 is likely to ridicule you for your faith and how can you respond to show respect for them? How can you “build a bridge” that will encourage them to at least listen calmly to what you are saying?
Acts 26:26-27
a. At this point, King Agrippa has been silent. He is Jewish and knows the scripture thoroughly.
b. Knowing this, Paul asks him a direct question that brings him to a point of acceptance or rejection of the gospel.
c. Who on your list of 3 has knowledge of the gospel and needs to be brought to a point of decision? How can you build a bridge to the point that you can raise the question to them?
Acts 26:28-31
a. King Agrippa rejects Paul’s invitation.
b. Paul’s response is one of concern and compassion, not condemnation. This attitude leaves a door open for Paul to speak to King Agrippa again in the future.
c. We need to understand and be prepared for people to reject the gospel. Who on your list of 3 is likely to reject your presentation of the gospel? How can you “build a bridge” and show concern/compassion for them?
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