Verses 25:15 & 16 open with Paul case being put before
King Agrippa:
15 When I
was in Jerusalem, I got an earful about him from the chief priests and Jewish
elders. They wanted me simply to decide against him,16 but
I informed them that we Romans don’t work that way. We don’t condemn a person
accused of a crime unless the accusers present their case in person so the
accused has ample opportunity to defend himself against the charge.
The last few chapters of Acts really focus on the Jews in
Jerusalem and their rejection of Paul. We learn from this how Paul is
forthright in the face of death. Can you say the same? If it was a choice
between death would you continue to profess Jesus? This is what we can learn
from Paul and the other apostles, they all chose death over a lie.
Verse 26:24 has Festus interrupting and mocking Paul:
Festus (interrupting): 24 You’ve
gone crazy, Paul! You’ve read one book too many and have gone insane!
This is the key, you will be called crazy. Think about it,
Paul HAD recent experience and people who witnessed Jesus’ story, today we have
this book. Sure we have stories of great things, but often they are explained
away from Jesus, so be ready for the attacks on your faith.
I debate creationism and evolutionism with science types
often. I am called more than crazy by most, yet keep plugging away at them.
Often I think I should shake the dust off my feet and move on, but I hope just
one will realize the fallacy of many of the foundational beliefs in evolution.
Maybe I should start working on a book;-)
We end this reading with nothing new happening, other
than Paul telling his story to another government official.