Welcome to Bible Believers Fellowship and the ministry of bbfohio.com. I'm Pastor Greg and I welcome you to our study in Acts chapter 26 verses 1 through 11 titled Paul before Agrippa the BC days. Alright Acts 26, got your Bibles open. Paul before Agrippa the BC days. read through the last couple of chapters a little more quickly than we had the previous chapters for the most part, because there was a lot of review. It was basically a retelling of what we've already studied in Acts. And there's more of the same here, but I purposely chose to wait until this chapter to kind of slow down and look at a few things that he's going to repeat that we read in the last two chapters actually. And that's why we're going to cover the first eleven verses. As we begin Acts chapter 26, some of you know there's 28 chapters, so we're coming down to the tail end of the book. And Paul is standing before King Agrippa in our text, known historically as Herod Agrippa. And so let's read, you can read the odd verses with me, so begin with me right there in verse one. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand and answered for himself. I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews, especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews, wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify that after the most strictest tract of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. I almost said strictest, but it's straightest, which is about the same thing. Verse 6, And now I stand, and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers, unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come, for which hope say, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. and I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities." Amen? Paul begins by laying the groundwork and the background in verses 1 through 3. He's laying the background about who he's talking to, Agrippa. Then he lays the groundwork of himself as Paul, or better known at that time, Saul, the Pharisee. And then he lays the background of his history of being Paul the persecutor. So this is all in his background of what we call the BC days. What's BC mean? Before Christ. Every one of us have BC days. And some people got saved younger than others. And so their BC days may not have gotten as many bad marks and bad stories. I was saved at 19 and already chalked up enough. I'm so thankful God spared me to that point, to be honest with you. And others live into their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s before they're saved. And some of them live just regular, normal lives. Others, really, really bad lives. Paul did both. He was the cream of the crop in Israel as far as Jewish law was concerned. And yet, he racked up some really bad marks when it comes to the way he treated Christians right before he got saved. So, Paul tells us as we begin with the Apostle Paul's preliminary remarks about Agrippa. That's in verses 1 through 3. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth a hand and answered for himself. We've mentioned this before that our laws, we've all gotten used to having certain rights. This was not a right in a lot of places in ancient times. It's not a right now. There are many places where the accused doesn't ever get to speak in their own defense. And that's something we take for granted because we've had it since, you know, 1776 under United States law. But even under the crown, even under King George, There was this, at least in writing on the books, there was this right to face your accusers and to speak in your own defense. So when you read these things, you should have a bit of gratitude. You should be thankful that you live in a country where you have these kind of rights. And even in Rome, A lot of times we think of Rome, we think, oh, that was terrible. There were some bad things about it. Of course, then when you're under Caesars like Nero, it was really, really bad. But there were still, even then, some very good things about the Roman government and things that Paul himself appreciated and took advantage of. He appealed to Caesar, for example. If he hadn't been able to do that, they would have taken him to Jerusalem and he may have been killed. It extended his ministry for a number of years. Now, King Agrippa gives Paul the floor and Paul will begin with prelims addressing Agrippa personally. Now, you need to get familiar with the characters in the book. We said this before, if any of you have really gotten into some series of books, or even TV shows for that matter, or series of movies, you get to know the characters. That's how you kind of get pulled into the story. And a good story provides not only characters, but gives you character development. so that as you're watching the show or reading the book, you get an attachment to these characters in some way. You're a little invested because you got to know people. And that's one tip for you when it comes to somebody that you know needs to be saved, or even a Christian that you know really could use spiritual growth, could use a good local church. Inviting them is fine. Giving them a gospel tract is fine. But if you have the ability, the time, the opportunity, get to know them personally. And this was, I know this may sound like a sales technique, but I was told this years ago, and it's true. When you go to talk to somebody about the Lord, let them talk a little while first. so that they know you're just not there to badger them. You're interested in a conversation. You want to hear from them. And also, it's just a fact, once they've done some talking, even it's in the subconscious that we all feel like we're kind of indebted now to listen. And so people are less apt to just blow you off and walk away if you've carried on a conversation and they've invested some time and you've invested time listening, now, They're ready to listen to you, and it gives you an opportunity to present your case. So, we get to know the characters in the Bible. You will find your Bible reading and study much more enjoyable the more connected you get to these characters. Man, I'm telling you, the more you get to know Noah and Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Caleb, Joshua, Samuel. For the sake of time, I won't go through them, but each one of these guys you get to know. And the women in Judges talking about jail, J-A-E-L. If you don't know that story, you're missing it. Deborah the prophetess. wonderful woman of God. And of course, go back to, we don't know her name, but Noah's wife had to be some woman. And Eve, even though Eve's, what'd you say? Joan of Arc. That's good. But Eve, you know, even though she did sin and that's a big deal, but I believe Eve was a wonderful mother. And on and on, Sarah and Rebecca, and then, yes, Jacob had more than one, and that's kind of a, you know, situation there. But even the concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, you know, in addition to Leah and Rachel. And on and on it goes to the wonderful women. And of course, Mary, we don't worship her, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't really love her and appreciate her. and I look forward to meeting the real Mary. Amen? It's like the word, the name Jesus. There's several Jesuses. And actually Joshua is Hebrew for Yesus in Greek and Jesus in English, you know? So that's another thing is you get to know these names, but you gotta know who you're talking about, John the Baptist or John the Apostle and then John Mark, you know? So it sounds confusing, but listen, it's much more rewarding than Lord of the Rings. I'll just tell you that right now. So, by the way, Agrippa's name means one who causes great pain at his birth. Evidently his mother had, you know, had some He was a real pain. I've heard stories, my mom never really, I don't remember my mom saying that sort of thing, but I know some guys' moms talk about, I went through all that pain and labor to bring you into this world, and now this is the thanks I get. That must have been what his mom thought when she named him. But he's another Herod. Another thing about learning your Bible. You know, I'm not saying you get all these names and everything perfect, but you become familiar, and then you can even find resources like Haley's Bible Handbook if you find the classic that's in the King James Version, and you can go there a lot of times, and you know right where to go to refresh your memory and that kind of thing. But there are six men called Herod in biblical times, and two of them are called Agrippa. Now, just a quick review. Herod the Great. He was the one that was at the birth of Christ and caused the slaughter of the innocents when all the children two and under were killed. That was Herod the Great. He lived up to 4 BC. Then there was Herod Archelaus. He was the ruthless son of Herod the Great, and he was deposed by Caesar after only two years, so there's not a lot about him. Then there's the Bible calls Herod the Tetrarch. And he was also called Antipas, not to be confused with the martyr in the book of Revelation named Antipas, different guy. And he ruled the smaller and less political region of Galilee, which was north of Jerusalem up near the Sea of Galilee. And he was considered a weak ruler, but he's in the Bible. And then he's also the one that Jesus called that fox we read about. This is the Herod that had John the Baptist beheaded, and he was the Herod at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. So that's an important one, don't you think, to know there? Herod the Tetrarch. Now, there was also Herod Philip. And he ruled an area even further north than Galilee. And he was ruling at the same time as his brother Antipas, I'm sorry, who, yeah, as the one who stole his wife. Let me see if I got the note here. Herod Agrippa, there's two Agrippas. There was one 41 to 44 AD, which is the beginning of the Book of Acts. He had the Apostle James killed, and then he's the one eaten by worms. I said they could have called him Herod Agrippa of Worms. And that brings us to the Herod King Agrippa in our text. He's the sixth. He's the great-grandson of Herod the Great. And he's also the first recorded ruler to call believers in Jesus Christian. He refers to them as Christians. Now we saw the name of Christian added by the population earlier, but this is the first time a ruler called followers of Jesus Christian. So those are the six Herods. And if you can just kind of get an eyeball view of that now and keep familiarizing yourself, especially as you read the New Testament of these six Herods, Then we come to verse two and three, I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Wherefore, I beseech thee to hear me patiently." So Paul expressed confidence in Agrippa's ability to understand matters pertaining to the Jews. What do we have a problem with today? It's just in the headlines now. Judges who don't follow and rule according to the law, the constitution in this country. If you have judges like that in any country, whatever your system of law is, you're going to have chaos. And they're trying to actually create the chaos to keep reforms from happening. And they're trying to continue the waste of money and continue having these shiftless government employees that don't do anything all day long and all that sort of thing. But that's what Paul is thankful that Agrippa was one of those who had the knowledge and had the potential at least to rule according to the law. So now Paul introduces himself to Agrippa as Paul the Pharisee there, verses 4 through 8. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews. Verse five, which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straightest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. Now sadly, by the time Jesus comes, the Pharisees are not just a straight sect, but they're actually a heretical sect. And they had gone off the deep end. It's kind of like Johnny here, when he talked about Boy Scouts. You know, Johnny was a Boy Scout before the Boy Scouts went sodomite. And now the Boy Scouts are a corrupt organization. So guys have had to go out and start new scouting organizations. And I can't remember what they're called, like Heritage? Trail Life. Trail Life. OK. Now, Johnny got a, didn't you get your, what do they call that, an eagle badge? Yeah, the rank of Eagle Scout. The rank of Eagle Scout. And that's something, you know, that's an accomplishment, amen? But it's sad now because then a lot of times you feel like you have to explain it was before Boy Scouts became what they are today. Same thing's true with Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts have totally gone into the feminist, lesbian, trans thing. That's why, sorry, I don't buy their cookies anymore. I know you can't tell, but I don't buy their cookies anymore. And the poor little kids, I just walk way around, because I don't want to look at them and say, no! So Paul was sort of like a bishop of Rome on his way to being a cardinal before he was saved. There have been Roman Catholic priests who are working their way up the hierarchy, and they get saved. Guess what? They leave the Roman Catholic Church. We've got Crisis of Faith DVD where three or four of those men and a couple of nuns and some other former Catholics testify. And that's how they had to leave everything that they had invested their life in. It was like not just a job, it was their whole life. And they got saved and they had to leave. Freemasons, when they really get saved, they send a remit letter and leave. It doesn't matter what, if you're involved in anything that is godless, when you get saved, you have to cut the line. Amen? And that's what Paul had to do. Look at Philippians 3 real quick. Philippians chapter 3, verses 4 through 8. Very well-known passage. Begins, I want to read verse five through seven while you're turning. Circumcise the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, and Hebrew of the Hebrews. I'm starting on verse four. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh, if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more. Then he says, circumcise the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. Yes. Even if you weren't in the tribe of Judah, you were still a Jew. That's for the white supremacists out there and so forth. And Hebrew of the Hebrews as touching the law of Pharisee. Read 6 through 8 with me. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church. Touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ? Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. We hear these verses, his last two verses especially, quoted all the time, but a lot of times you don't realize that's in the context of the Apostle Paul telling his story of how he was at the top of the line Pharisee. He was one of the most powerful people in Israel. And he gave it all up for Jesus. He says, I count them but dung. Yeah, fill in the blank. People are touchy about excrement in this country. You have to be careful. Use the S word, you get defrocked, excommunicated if you use that S word for poop, but crap or whatever. That's in your Bible, folks. If you're too good for the Bible, there's a problem. He counts it all but whatever your word is for poop, dung. You say, yeah, He wants you to understand that's where He's putting all those things compared to His love for Christ, in the toilet. Amen. So back to our text, verses 6-8, And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers, unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope, saith King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews, I love this question. People make fun of us because we believe in the resurrection. They make fun of us because we believe in the rapture. You got that rapture thing where a bunch of your millions of your Christians are going to disappear. You can mock and make fun all you want. It's going to stop when we disappear. Verse 8, Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead? He's God. If he's God, it's no big deal for him to raise the dead. If you believe in God and you really mean it, think about what that means. God. If he's God, he's omnipotent. That means he's all powerful. He's omniscient. He knows all things. Take a look at this. I mean, the universe is mind-blowing. And yet he pre-programmed the whole thing to run exactly as it is, only the problem is man brought sin into the world, and so death came by sin, death by, wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. We're the ones that screwed it up. If you see something in the universe that doesn't look right, blame yourself, you're part of the problem. Amen? Mankind. But what an amazing universe. If you don't understand what I'm saying, you are missing out because the more you look at the universe, I mean, they're talking about a trillion galaxies just in the part that we can see. And each galaxy has tens of billions of stars. And somehow the Earth is flat. Paul is wisely focusing on the resurrection and not trying to argue about a dozen points of theology and law. Again, something for us to learn here. When you're talking to people who have trouble with our beliefs or whatever, okay, but stick to the important thing. If they're not saved, they need to know about Jesus. They need to know more than the fact that the crucifixion is an established historic fact. The fact is, the resurrection is an established historical fact. And if Jesus rose himself from the grave, that blows all humanistic, New Age, atheistic, all non-Christian theories out of the water. You can't prove that. Didn't say that. I said, it's established by the evidence. You lay all the evidence out and then you ask yourself, what's the best explanation for that evidence? And the best explanation is he is risen. He is alive. And he said, I'm coming back. Amen. Make note of the fact that Paul says nothing of the 12 tribes of Israel being lost. All the Israel haters and the white supremacy groups and the black Hebrews and all these groups, they all claim, they talk about the lost 12 tribes of Israel. They're not lost. God knows exactly where they're at. So the Bible never talks about lost tribes. He talks about the lost children of the house of Israel. refers to them as sheep, the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not the lost tribes, the lost sheep. Right in Israel today, 90 some percent or better of the Jews in Israel are lost sheep. That's who he's after. It doesn't have anything to do with the lost tribes. And finally, Paul is careful to present his creds as previously being Paul the persecutor. That's what's in verses 9 through 11. A persecutor is defined as one that persecutes. And that can be then extrapolated out as one that pursues another unjustly and vexatiously, particularly on account of religious principles. Paul was a persecutor. We're seeing a lot of it now, and we're going to see it increase right up to the time of the rapture. The persecution of Christians. And a lot of times, I think we've just gotten used to a lot of the persecution. And a lot of people are like, well, it's not like they're taking us out and shooting us in the head. Oh, they are. It's just not being reported as such. And all over the world, it's even worse. You go to Africa and South America, you see it big time. John? Yeah, we pointed it out Wednesday and last Sunday, and the last count they have now in the thousands of Christians slaughtered in Syria. And the news media, the news media just doesn't care. If it were Jews killing somebody, they would care. Yeah. So verses 9 and 10 say, I barely thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which thing I also did in Jerusalem. And many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priest. And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. If you've done something that was really bad, you've done things that you're very ashamed of. I am one of those. I can tell you that if you knew things I did before I got saved, you wouldn't want to sit under me teaching even though I've been saved for all those years. I did some very, very bad things. Very bad. God forgave. It's under the blood. And that's true of you. If you think you're such a bad person, save it for later because we're coming to the end here. If you think you are really so bad It's just you don't understand God's goodness. You don't understand God's graciousness. You don't understand the power of His blood. His blood is sufficient to forgive your sin no matter how bad it is. So we used to talk about people are involved in a homosexual thing. It's a terrible sin. You repent, turn to God with faith in Jesus Christ, His death, in which He shed His blood to pay for your sins, His burial and His resurrection in victory over your sin and death. The moment you repent toward God with faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, it's all forgiven. That's what we offer to the world. Of course, this would include the martyr Stephen. Remember Stephen back in Acts 7? All he was doing was preaching. and they stoned him to death. And there was a man named Saul, a young man, who held their coats and was assenting to his death, an accessory to the crime, so to speak. And then verse 11 says, And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme. Imagine that. Forcing Christians to blaspheme. Of course, they shouldn't have. They should have died first. But he was successful, evidently, in some cases. and being exceedingly mad against them. I told you, sin will make you crazy. Sin eventually will lead you to insanity. Mad, that's what it means. Doesn't mean angry here, it's talking about madness. I persecuted them even into strange cities. Where was he going when he was stopped by Jesus? Strange cities, Damascus, outside of Israel. And that was what Paul was doing on the road to Damascus when he met Jesus, as described there. We'll pick up there next time, Lord willing, in The Church Don't Rise, as Paul says, whereupon, as I went to Damascus. That's where we're going to pick up. But in closing, my thoughts go to Paul going to heaven and meeting those he had persecuted and killed. The moment Paul died, he sees Jesus, then he's welcomed into heaven, I just like to believe that the first people he saw when he got there included Stephen and others that he had seen too had been killed. And then others who might've been persecuted and then died and Paul didn't even know they had gone. That's what I believe heaven's gonna be for us. We're not just gonna see our loved ones. In some cases, we're gonna see the people we offended. And we're gonna see people who offended us. And if we got saved, it's all under the blood, and then we're in heaven, and we aren't gonna care about those things ever again. Amen? You remember Paul talking about somebody being caught up to third heaven. He's speaking in third person. So a lot of people, including me, believe he's speaking of himself being caught up to what he also called paradise. It's in 2 Corinthians 12, one through four. Think about that. If so, did he then see those persecuted believers in glory? If that was Paul caught up in third heaven, he might have actually seen some of them then when he was caught up to the third heaven as described in 2 Corinthians 12. Some wonderful things to think about. Isn't it wonderful to know that God saves the worst of sinners who will repent and believe the gospel of Christ? As Paul said in 1 Timothy, let's close with this reading. 1 Timothy 1, 12-17. Begin verse 12, And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Read the odd 317 with me. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly and unbelief. He's describing himself there. and the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtain mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen and amen. Father, we thank you, Lord, for this message so far in chapter 26 as we recount Paul's BC days and are reminded of our own salvation. over so much sin forgiven, washed in the blood of the Lamb. And that's why we sing our praises in your name, and why we will be thankful and praise you throughout eternity. Give us those hearts right now, Lord, hearts of thanksgiving and praise, hearts of love, not only for one another, but love for the sinners yet to be saved, that we might have a burden for the lost. Supporting the missionaries, yes. Supporting the local church ministry and radio ministry, internet ministry, we continue to do that. And may we each have a love for the lost in our hearts that would drive us to want to reach out in our own little world, wherever we go, after we walk out those doors, to preach Jesus. even if it's a tract in the bill we pay, at the restaurant where we eat, wherever we get the gasoline, where we buy our food, whatever the case may be, help us, Lord, to have that kind of mindset and heart. In Jesus' name, Amen. Let's sing 294 in your hymn book, just as I am. Just as I am. ♪ Of wonder brought to thee this day ♪ ♪ And praise each smile of grace ♪ ♪ The God I love ♪ ♪ I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you ♪ Yes, I am, for which it was, I did say. U.S.A. is a gift that we'll receive It will come back when friends leave you Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me Let not your heart be troubled His tender word I hear And resting on His goodness I lose my doubts and fears, though by the path he leadeth. But one step I may see, his eye is on the sparrow. And I know he watches me His eye is on the sparrow And I know he watches me I sing because I'm happy I sing because I'm free He's on the sparrow and I know he watches me Whenever I am tempted Whenever clouds arise When songs give place to sighing When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him. From care he sets me free. His eye is on the sparrow. And I know he cares for me His eye is on the sparrow And I know he cares for me I sing because I'm happy I sing because I'm free And I know he watches me. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry, While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by. Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry, let me find a sweet relief nearly there indeed help me why do not pass me by trust me say why the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me. Whom have I on earth to trust? Whom with empathy? Savior, Savior, You, my humble pride, Amen. If you're saved today, He did not pass you by. Praise the Lord. Amen. My Father is great in power, yeah yeah yeah a a a a a a a Once was there a town, that's a stranger on earth A city with high walls, and many of my foes But I've been undone, and my name's written there And I'm here to amend, so I'll go around the crowd I'm a child of the King, a child of the King, with Jesus my Savior. I'm a child underneath a tent or a cottage. Why should I live in a building of palace? Jesus my it is Jesus I Oh look at me my brother look to Jesus now and live it is only Life is offered unto you, hallelujah! Eternal life thy soul shall have! If you'll only look to Him, hallelujah! Look to Jesus' word, come and stay! Look to Jesus now and then. It's recorded in His Word. Hallelujah! It is only that you look and live. I will tell you how I came. Hallelujah! To Jesus when He made me whole. Praise the Lord.