Page 126 - Acts Student Textbook

them to be persuaded. Note that Jesus had predicted Paul would bear his name before kings (9:15).
Here this prediction was fulfilled. Note also that Paul was on trial for his life, yet he repeatedly used
his opportunities to defend himself as opportunities to present the gospel. Instead of backing off and
compromising or keeping quiet, he tried to convert his judges!

What was the rulers’ conclusion? (26:30-32)

This ended the hearing. The king, governor, Bernice, and all that sat with them arose to leave. As
they talked among themselves, they agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving of death or chains.
Agrippa went so far as to say Paul might have been freed if he had not appealed to Caesar. This is the
third ruler who had affirmed Paul’s innocence (cf. 23:29; 25:25). This shows one of Luke's major
purposes in writing Acts, which was to show that Christianity was not treasonous to Rome. This is a
second class conditional sentence which makes a false assertion to accentuate a truth. “This man
might have been set free (which he was not) if he had not appealed to Caesar (which he did),”
(NASB). As in Jesus’ case, the rulers knew he was innocent but did not free him because of the
desires of the Jews.

Paul before Agrippa

20.4 Let’s Practice…

Paul gets the message out Even under strong opposition before Felix (24:1-21)

1. List Tertullus’ accusations against Paul? (24:5-7)

2. How did Tertullus’ poorly conclude his accusations against Paul? (24:8,9)

3. In summary, what was Paul’s response to the accusations against him? (24:10-21)

4. If he was not causing trouble, in which way did Paul maintain peace? (24:14)

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