BECAUSE OF MY HOPE 

Acts 26:1-32 

Key Verse 26:6 

"And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today." 

This passage shows how resurrection faith made a real difference in the life of one person, Paul. It changed his life. Man cannot live without hope. And if one does have a hope, it should be the right hope, meaning, the real hope that comes from God. As Paul stood on trial, he says that it is because of his hope of resurrection that he is on trial. Further, in his “defense” he testifies to where his hope came from and what God was and is doing in the world then and now. What seems to stand out the most in this passage is that because of his hope in the resurrection, Paul was strengthened and enabled to be obedient to God in all circumstances. 

How did Paul come to speak before King Agrippa? (25:24-27) According to Paul, why was he on trial? (6) What was Paul's hope? (6-8, 23:6) According to Paul’s background in verses 4-5, where did Paul first learn about this hope from God? Why might this background have appealed to Agrippa? (2-3) 

** Paul had stood trial before Festus, governor of Judea, in Caesarea. When King Agrippa came to visit Festus, Festus asked him to see Paul so they could determine what to write in regards to Paul’s charges, since Paul had appealed to Caesar.

>Background (concise):

-Paul had finished his 3rd missionary journey.

-He went to Jerusalem to deliver an offering

-While in the temple courts he is arrested and put on trial before the Jews--the Sanhedrin (Acts 21).

-Heard from Felix first. But Felix didn't release him (Acts 24).

-Paul stayed two more years in prison until Festus succeeded Felix.

-Paul stands trial before Festus, and then Festus together with King Agrippa, so that they can discover something to write about Paul's charges before they send him to Caesar (Acts 25b-26).

>>Throughout Paul’s trials there is a common thread: He testifies to his hope in the resurrection. In this passage, the hope of the resurrection meant Jesus’ grace and mission for Paul, of which he was obedient to despite the great difficulties involved.

** See verse 6. “It is because of my hope…”

** Paul’s hope was in the resurrection of the dead. 

>Acts 23:6: Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead."

** Paul describes his hope in verses 6-8 as:

“What God has promised our fathers…”

“The promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night…”

“Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?”

>Paul says that this hope was not a newly invented one. It was promised by God to the Jewish people a long time ago. In fact, it is the very hope the twelve tribes of Israel were serving God in hope of, day and night. It was revealed in the Scriptures. Paul’s background testifies to this because he had lived as a Pharisee, according to the strictest sect, which the people could verify. 

** In verses 2-3 Paul acknowledges that Agrippa was familiar with all the Jewish customs and “controversies.” In fact, historically, Agrippa was known as a very curious Bible “scholar.” The Roman government even established him as the head of Jewish matters pertaining to their religion. He was in charge of the Temple and even had the authority to appoint high priests. Paul began his defense in a way that would appeal to Agrippa and catch his attention. 

>From a Jewish, legal standpoint: Faith in the resurrection was a Jewish thing. It was what all the tribes were serve God day and night in hope of. So, he was not breaking the Jewish law. In fact, it is from God, not Paul. So, Paul was innocent. He was only acting in line with what God has done and is doing. 

How had Paul also opposed the name of Jesus? (9-11) What made Paul change his ways? (12-15) What did meeting the Risen Jesus show Paul about the hope found in the Scriptures? How had meeting the Risen Jesus put his life into perspective?

** Paul was not only familiar with Jewish Scripture, customs, religion, etc., but he also opposed the name of Jesus just as strongly, if not stronger, than the current Jews were doing. In verse 9 he says that he was “convinced he ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus.” So he traveled from place to place under Jewish authority and put many of the saints in prison and approved of their deaths. He tried to get people to blaspheme. He was obsessed and even went to foreign cities as a missionary of persecution. 

** See verses 12-15. The Risen Jesus appeared to Paul. In this meeting, Paul learned that he was kicking against the goads, rather than supporting the Lord. Further, he found out that the Lord is Jesus Christ the one whom Paul was persecuting. He found out that the Lord Jesus was living. 

** The hope of God is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Paul thought he was living according to the hope from God properly. But really he was persecuting the Lord. Now he learned that the hope of God is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who is living. 

** In meeting the Risen Jesus, Paul now knew clearly about the hope of God, who Jesus is, and who Paul himself was. Paul thought he was persecuting Jesus’ followers. But he found out that he was persecuting Jesus himself. Paul thought he was going the right way in life. But he was really kicking against the goads. He was ignorant and opposing the Lord. But after meeting the Risen Jesus, he was shown grace and mercy, he a clear and right hope, and he had received a blessed mission from the Lord.

What command, promise, and vision did Jesus give to Paul? (16-18) How does the way Jesus treated Paul compare with how Paul treated Jesus? Why do you think Jesus showed Paul such grace? What fundamental problem did Jesus reveal about all people in this world? How is Jesus solving this problem?

** Command: “Get up and stand on your feet.” Promise: “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles.” Vision: “see verse 18.” Paul was called to serve the Lord Jesus now, and Jesus promised to be with him, giving him a great vision of the work the Lord was going to do to see people free and give them light and life. 

** Both of them did not deserve the treatment they received from the other person. And yet Jesus called Paul as his servant. He appointed him to be a servant and witness. Jesus promised to protect Paul and do a great work through him. Paul, at the same time, though not deserving, accepted the grace of the Lord Jesus, and obeyed him. He did not hide in condemnation, fear, or excuses. He shows what it is to accept Jesus’ grace by faith. 

** 1) “open their eyes,” meaning, their eyes are closed; 2) “turn them from darkness to light,” meaning, they are in darkness; 3) “and from the power of Satan to God,” meaning, under Satan’s power; 4) “so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me,” meaning, people are already in a position where they need to receive the forgiveness of sins. Paul did not think that he was like this at all, but he was. Many people think they are okay or doing well. But Jesus has revealed the real condition of those that are yet to turn to him by faith. 

** 1) Jesus calls and appoints his servants to witness to the gospel message; 2) Jesus said, “faith in me.” It means that Jesus paid the price for all people to be saved completely through faith in him. Jesus reveals that he is deeply concerned about his lost people in this world and he is working hard to save them. He calls and appoints his servants to join in this task, even the worst people like Paul. 

How did Paul respond to Jesus' calling? (19) What kind of things did Paul suffer when he was obedient to the vision?  (21, 29, 2 Cor 11:23-28) How do you think the hope of resurrection practically helped Paul to be obedient to Jesus? 

** See verse 19. Paul no longer kicked against the goads. Nor did he hide in shame and condemnation. He accepted Jesus’ grace. He was obedient to the Lord’s calling. 

** Paul suffered many things to be obedient to the Lord. You can see his own list in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. We can see a summary of what it meant in this passage, that is, in verse 29 he says, “these chains.” He was not free in this world. The world did what it wanted to Paul, in some sense. 

** Paul had been a most learned, respected, and honored man. He became a man despised by others, treated as insane and bound like a criminal without justice. Why did he endure? How could he endure? It was because of his hope and he wanted to be obedient to the Lord. A lot can be said, but basically it is that God gave him a hope in Jesus Christ, and that hope is greater than anything in this world. What may have suffered or gave up in this world cannot compare with the hope of God in Jesus Christ. For in Jesus Christ is eternal life. 

What did Paul preach? (20) Why is it that because of the resurrection that Paul preached repentance? Why is it important to "prove" one's repentance? What did Paul do whenever God helped him in times of persecution? (21-22) What was Paul’s main message? (22b-3)

** Paul preached repentance everywhere he went.

** It looked like 'hope' was the point, but now Paul says that Agrippa needs to repent. The hope of resurrection is the underpinning for repentance. So, if there is no resurrection, there is no need for repentance. To repent literally means to turns. Here, repentance means to turn from one’s sin to God by faith in Jesus. 

** Anyone can say, "I repent." But repentance must come with deeds.

** Paul saw God’s help as an opportunity to preach more, to testify of the hope of God in Jesus. 

** See verses 22b-23. It is the gospel message. It is the message that all the Scriptures talk about. It is the message for all people, Jew and Gentile. 

What did Festus say to interrupt Paul? (24) How did Paul make use of his interruption? (26-27) What was Paul's prayer? (29) How did Agrippa avoid Paul's question? Why do you think he didn't answer Paul directly? 

** He accused Paul of being insane! He tried to discredit all of what Paul said through this slander.

** He was not insane, but what he said was true and reasonable. He then used this chance to target in on Agrippa and help him to repent and believe in Jesus. It seems that Paul was not really trying to defend himself, but was targeting Agrippa the whole time.

** By bypassing the question and asking another question. Agrippa’s question makes it sound like for someone as knowledgeable as he, to become a Christian takes a lot of time.

** See verse 29. Paul’s prayer was inline with Jesus’ vision in verses 16-18. He prayed for all people to be like him, that is, to repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. 

** He didn’t want to repent. 

Summarize Paul's "defense." How does his defense testify to the hope of God in Jesus for all people? How does God reveal his hope today? What does the hope of resurrection mean to you? 

** Paul’s defense: he did what he did because of his hope in the resurrection of the dead. This hope came from God. It is found in the Scriptures. It is the same hope the twelve tribes of Israel are serving God in hope of. It is from God, so Paul is innocent. He was merely obeying God and was inline with what God was and is doing. This hope extends to all people, even to those so clearly opposed to God, like Paul. It is meant to give hope to those who are blind, in darkness, and under the power of Satan. 

** Paul’s defense is really the testimony of the hope of God in Jesus Christ. Paul was merely Jesus’ chosen instrument to get this message out to many people. 

** in the same way: 1) In the Scriptures; 2) through the working of the living and risen Lord Jesus Christ; 3) through the servants the Lord appoints and sends out. These three are working together.