Trans World Radio - India

III. The Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles to the uttermost part of the earth, Chapters 13 — 28

Chapter 26 — Paul’s testimony before Agrippa is not a defense of himself, but a declaration of the gospel with the evident purpose of winning

Agrippa and the others present to Christ. This is a dramatic scene, and this chapter is one of the greatest literary pieces either secular or inspired.

vv. 1-3 — Paul’s introduction flatters Agrippa and engages his attention.

vv. 4-7 — Paul reviews his life as a Jew under Law.

v. 8 — Paul appeals to Agrippa personally.

vv. 9-11 — Paul reviews his life as a Pharisee who persecuted the church.

vv. 12-23 — Paul reviews his experience on the Damascus road, his encounter with Christ, and his response to the call of Christ. Paul declares the gospel clearly to the royal audience (v. 23).

v. 24 — The reaction of Festus — Paul is insane.

v. 25 — Note Paul’s gentle answer to Festus. (Who was mad — Paul or Festus?)

vv. 26, 27 — Paul attempts to win Agrippa to Christ.

v. 28 — Agrippa is almost persuaded. This is the closest to conversion that any member of the house of Herod came.

v. 29 — Paul gives an invitation to the assembled crowd there to turn to Christ.

vv. 30-32 — Paul was cleared of all charges and could have been freed if he had not appealed to Caesar. He had not made a single convert as far as we know, but he had been faithful — which is all Christ requires.

Chapter 27 — Paul’s prosperous journey to Rome (Romans 1:10).

vv. 1-6 — Paul is sent by ship with other prisoners to Myra of Lycia. There they board a ship going to Italy.

vv. 7-9 — The journey is very slow.

vv. 10-13 — Paul warns of coming danger, but the centurion in charge of the prisoners listens to the master of the ship.

vv. 14-44 — The ship encounters a severe storm that leads to the wrecking of the ship but no loss of life. The crew, passengers, and prisoners all escape to the Island of Melita (Malta).

Chapter 28 — From Melita to Rome. Paul arrives in Rome and ministers first to Jews and then to Gentiles. The narrative is not concluded but breaks off with Paul preaching in Rome. The Acts of the Holy Spirit have not been finished even in our day. The Book of Acts will end with the Rapture.

vv. 1-6 — Paul is bitten by a viper on the Island of Malta. Obviously he could not see the poisonous snake, as he did not deliberately pick it up.

vv. 7-10 — Paul has a ministry on the island in healing the father of a prominent man by the name of Publius.

vv. 11-16 — Paul goes to Rome.

vv. 17-24 — Paul is visited by many Jews and preaches to them. Some believe.

vv. 25-31 — Paul turns from the Jews when controversy arises and preaches to the Gentiles the kingdom of God. The record is not concluded, for the Holy Spirit continues to work today. There are still Acts of the Holy Spirit. They will be concluded at the coming of Christ for His church.

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