092425 Meditational Nuggets from the Book of Acts 26 KJV
For: MBBC-Bh Morning Online Group Devotional Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship Sept. 25, 2025
“6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”
The Hope of the promise made of GOD
From these verses were written how Paul defended himself in the presence of the new Governor Festus and King Herod Agrippa, raising this questions which seems to melt down the power-driven king’s heart, that he almost have gotten saved.
Acts 26:1-8 KJV
“1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 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:
3 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.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
It was cleared from the word of Paul: he incessantly pursued the commandment of the LORD, that everybody should hear and be known, that there is the hope of the promise made of GOD given to their forefathers, which were written in the law; for all to know and to see that, what their ancestors have waited, they have seen, talked with, witnessed His miraculous wondrous works, and have called lately Paul, to testify to all that that promise has been fulfilled.
And no matter what adversities he might have encountered, he will keep on testifying and confirm it to whomsoever will question him about his faith on that fulfilled promise.
May this words of Apostle Paul echo in our thoughts and be it not merely confined in the hidden place of our mind; but it will keep on stirring our heart; to not just keep it within ourselves, but to be outspoken, and be heard by whomsoever might be asking what is the hope we have in us all about.
For the GOD’s gift of salvation through JESUS CHRIST must be known to all mankind.
Let us all be willing to share, so that we all be blessed forever!
Acts 26:9-15 KJV
“9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 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.
11 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.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”
What makes Paul especial from the LORD JESUS’ twelve reorganized other apostles?(reorganized, because Judas Iscariot one from the original twelve, have fallen out from the LORD’s grace, committed suicide after betraying the Son of GOD, that led to His crucifixion; was replaced by Matthias through casting lots, after the LORD’s ascension) were accounted as these:
• His Commemorative admission about his former state, as being one among the fiery pharisees who persecuted the followers/believers of JESUS, were clearly testified in detailed manner, to whomsoever asked him and in whatsoever situation he is in.
• His Conversion from JESUS’ hater to JESUS’ herald changed him in all aspect of life; placing him in a very unlikely, tedious, laborious, chaotic, yet full of joy, fulfilling nature of ministry.
• His Calling to proclaim JESUS to all; focusing mainly in the redemption of the Gentiles; reconciling both the Jews and the Gentiles under the grace of GOD.( GOD’s redemption at CHRIST expense) Galatians 3:27,28
These verses were written for us to understand that even in Paul’s defense is a testimonial preaching in the presence of his prosecutors, because of his faith in the hope of promise made by GOD.
An epilogue we must all look upon as our guide in testifying how vast and immeasurable the grace of GOD through the death, burial, and resurrection from the death of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; reaching us who are among the Gentiles, considered as before an enemy of GOD because of our idolatrous practices . But by His abounding grace, which is able to change and convert even the most hard-core fanatics or extremist proponents, we, who were previously among them were now also the testifiers of GOD’s amazing grace.
Reminding us not to discount the power of our words; that truth when it is spoken, no matter how unconventional it is will still stand in the end.
As what Paul written in Ephesian 4KJV
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
May our words conveys to others CHRIST’s saving grace.
Acts 26:15-20 KJV
“15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
The Heavenly Vision:
Paul knew vividly his calling.
He has been bold to testify not only to defend himself but to obey His Master’s will.
He consistently testified everything; to his people, to his prosecutor, and in trying time, to the king.
When it is known to us the purpose of our existence, it is but just right to do it, and to perform with all our heart so well.
If we are called to serve, in whatever situation we are in, serve with all our heart, mind, soul; with all our beings.
For the One who called us to salvation, is the Mighty GOD, the Prince of Peace, our Savior and King!
All praises be to our LORD JESUS CHRIST everyday and forever!
Acts 26:21-29 KJV -
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 0 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.”
The noble, the king and all the people around heard what Paul testified while defending himself. The reactions differed:
* Festus think Paul was mad or out of his mind
* others fell into silence and keep pondering the words Paul has spoken
* King Agrippa answered “almost” convinced
Conclusively they all agreed: Paul should have set at liberty, should he hadn’t made an appeal unto the ultimate authority .
Sometimes the grace of GOD appeared seemingly absurdly obscure. Paul has to be imprisoned for years just to witnessed to the noble and king.
When he should have been set at liberty, but because he has chosen to appeal unto Ceasar, he must be kept in bonds. And the irony of it all, he could have had spent his time for a far greater purpose, to reach out more souls, than to defend his cause in the ears of this king who hadn’t fully saved but just “almost”.
This is how we see things through our limited mind. Our comprehension could never attain to GOD’s wisdom.
But let this be inculcated in our mind: when He allowed difficult circumstances in our life to happen, He is not just purging us from impurities; but through our hardship, He form something significantly beautiful in GOD’s perfect timing. He started to molds us within, then it radiates outwardly, and keeps it shining forever.
Just as Paul must be imprisoned at Rome, to where he spent his solitude writing some of his epistles, from where practical guidlines of Christian living was written for our edification, so that his epistle will be completely written, of which have to be included in the canon; for the bible, be in its completion.
The GOD whom we serve is an All-Knowing GOD; The Almighty Creator of all things.
His plan and design for all the universe is so vast, yet never He left even the smallest matter unnoticed. Not even our infirmities and shortcomings nor our sins hidden from the scrutinizing eyes of His power.
Let us not be among them who are just almost saved, but let us all be like Paul whom to GOD surrendered all his beings.
For His plan is greater than what our natural mind sees. Our circumstances might seem to be unending, but His grace is sufficient to sustain us throughout our entire years of earthly living.
Let the hope of promise made by GOD in JESUS CHRIST be our inspiration to keep on going. With long-sufferings joyfully serving Him.
So that we may live our life accordingly to what pleases GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST everyday and ever!
Good morning❤️🙏
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