Atos 26
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 26
Vernon McGee - The appearance of Paul before Agrippa is, in my judgment, the high point in the entire ministry of this apostle. It is a fulfillment of the prophecy that he should appear before kings and rulers (Acts 9:15+). Undoubtedly it was God’s will that he should come before King Agrippa....There are several features about this chapter that we ought to note before we get into Paul’s message before King Agrippa. First of all, I want to make it clear again that Paul is not on trial...He is preaching the Gospel. In view of the fact that this great apostle had appealed to Caesar, not even King Agrippa could condemn him, and he is certainly out of the hands of Governor Festus (cf Acts 26:32)...They no longer had the authority to condemn him....so Paul...is trying to win these men for Christ. This was not a trial, but it was a public appearance of Paul before King Agrippa and the court so that they might learn firsthand from the apostle what “that Way” really is....Therefore they have this public appearance to explain The Way. (ED: See discussion of The Way). I think this was one of the most splendid opportunities that any minister ever had to preach Christ. There has never again been an opportunity quite like this....This stirs the imagination. I trust that somehow we can picture this scene before us as we listen to the message of Paul. This elaborate gathering is for just one purpose: to hear from a notable prisoner by the name of Paul. He is the one who has already been over the greater part of the Roman Empire, certainly the eastern part of it, preaching The Way. When the door of that great throne room swings open, a prisoner in chains is ushered into this colorful scene. ...This is the man who teaches and preaches the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ for men because they are sinners and need a Savior. This is the one who can speak with authority about the new Way. And they will listen to this man because he knows how to speak and because he is an intelligent man. The light of heaven is on his face. He is no longer Saul of Tarsus but Paul the apostle. What a contrast he is to that gay, giddy crowd of nobility gathered there!...I do not think, frankly, that Paul was physically attractive. Yet he had the dynamic kind of attraction which the grace of God gives to a man. He was energized by the Holy Spirit. Oh, that you and I might be able to say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20+). Now let’s turn our eyes from the glitter and the glamour of the occasion to the two men who stand out in this assembly: Agrippa and Paul. What a contrast! One of them is in purple, the other is in prison garb. One is on a throne, the other is in shackles. One wears a crown, the other is in chains. (Ed: But he will one day wear a crown - cf 2 Ti 4:8+). Agrippa is a king, but in the slavery of sin (Ro 6:17, 20+, Jn 8:34, 2 Pe 2:19+). Paul is a chained prisoner, rejoicing in the freedom of sins forgiven and liberty in Christ (Jn 8:32, 34, Ro 6:7+). Agrippa is an earthly king who could not free Paul nor himself. Paul is an ambassador of the King (2 Cor 5:20+) who had freed him and who could free Agrippa from the damning effects of sin. (Thru the Bible - Notes on Acts 26:1) Thomas
Atos 26
Vernon McGee - Paul is now speaking to a man who understands what he is talking about. Agrippa is an intelligent man, he knows the Mosaic Law, and he understands the Jewish background. Paul really rejoices in this opportunity to speak to such an instructed man who will understand the true nature of the case. Paul likewise is well instructed in the Mosaic Law, but Paul has met Christ. Now the Law has a new meaning for him. The soul of Paul is flooded with a new light. Now he sees that Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness (Ro 10:4+). Now he knows that God has supplied that (perfect righteousness) which He had demanded. He knows that God is good and that through Christ God is gracious. Paul wants King Agrippa to know this. There is a consummate passion filling the soul of the apostle as he speaks. I think this is his masterpiece. His message on Mars’ Hill (Areopagus - Acts 17:22+) is great, but it does not compare at all to this message. Although there were probably several hundred people present to hear this message, Paul is speaking to only one man, King Agrippa. Paul is trying to win this man for Christ. In Paul's approach he is conducting himself with wisdom toward outsiders even as he commanded the saints at Colossae in Col 4:5, 6-note. We all do well to emulate his pattern! Expert (only NT use)(1109)(gnostes from ginosko = to know by experience) means one who knows, one thoroughly acquainted with or practiced in something, one who is knowledgeable about something. Vine adds "a connoisseur." (an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts) Gnostes in the Septuagint - 1 Sam. 28:3; 1 Sam. 28:9; 2 Ki. 21:6; 2 Chr. 35:19; Acts 26:3