Page 124 - Acts Student Textbook

that hearing the inspired testimony of the gospel is necessary so people can believe and have the
eternal inheritance. Here Pratte comments that, “Men will not be saved by direct revelations but by
the testimony of apostles and the teaching of inspired men (which for us is found in the Bible). This
testimony has the power to turn men from sin and error to truth and light. The inheritance of
Christians is in heaven (1 Peter 1:3, 4; Acts 20:32). We receive this inheritance only if we have faith in
Jesus according to the word of the inspired men. “Sanctification” refers to holiness — being set apart
or dedicated to God’s service. This is necessary to have the eternal inheritance, and it comes by
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faith.” In short, Paul’s preaching and testimony would lead lost souls to eternal salvation through
Jesus.

Paul gets the message out even when he is personally ridiculed (26:19-32).

Why did Paul preach the gospel? (26:19-21)

In this vision of Jesus, Paul had been given a job to do. He then explained to Agrippa that he did not
disobey the instructions, and that is why he was preaching and teaching as he was. He had
convincing evidence and was compelled by that evidence to preach and teach as he had. His message
was that men should repent, turn to God (conversion), and do works fitting to repentance (cf. 2:38;
3:19; 17:30). Many people want the forgiveness God offers, but do not bring forth the fruits of
repentance. It is not enough to say we are sorry and that we intend to change. Some are content to
say that over and over. Repentance involves making a commitment to change, but God holds us to
that commitment and expects us to truly make the changes. We must not continue in our old ways
(see Luke 3:8-14; Ezek. 18 & 33; Philemon; Col. 3; Eph. 4:17ff; etc.).

Paul further explained that the spiritual message he preached, as Jesus had commanded him to do,
was the real reason why the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him.

Does the gospel contradict Old Testament Prophecy? (26:22, 23)

Despite Jewish opposition, God had helped Paul continue his work so he could spread his testimony
regarding Jesus. This message did not oppose anything taught by Moses and the Old Testament
prophets, but completely agreed with what they had said would happen. His message fulfilled their
prophecies. Specifically, they had predicted that the Christ must suffer and rise from the dead and
that his message would give light (the enlightenment of truth and salvation) to Gentiles as well as
Jews. Now the Jews had never believed this was the purpose of the Messiah, and that was one
reason why they opposed Paul. Nevertheless, his message agreed with what their Scriptures really
taught (Acts 3; etc.). Some translations connect “first” to giving light (NASB), rather than to the
resurrection (KJV, NKJ, ESV, and ASV). However, context indicates that first governs both resurrection
and the giving of light.

What ridicule did Paul receive during his preaching to this first class crowd? (26:24)

As Paul spoke, Festus loudly interrupted saying that Paul was so educated it had affected his sanity!
Apparently, the discussion of the resurrection was what led Festus to that conclusion, though he may
also have been affected by the great sacrifice Paul had made in giving up his former life. Interestingly,
Paul’s presentation was intelligent enough that Festus recognized it as educated. People who do not
want the truth will always find a way to reject it and, in the process, dismiss the messenger as
unworthy of respect. If the preacher is uneducated, some will reject the message saying the man
does not have “credentials” (Acts 4:13). But if the preacher is obviously educated, some will say he is
so educated he has gone crazy! Others will say he is trusting in his own education or thinks he is

83 Pratte, (p. 374).
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