Chapter 26 Discussion

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Chapter 26 Discussion

• Chapter 26 Verses 1-18 see http//www.livius.org
  /he-hg/herodians/herod_agrippa_i.html
• Herod Agrippa Jewish king, ruled 37-44. Because
  of his good connections in Rome, he was the last
  to unite the Jewish territories. In 39, Agrippa's
  uncle Herod Antipas tried to 'steal' Agrippa's
  royal title. Caligula intervened Agrippa's uncle
  was exiled to Gaul and his realm, Galilee and
  Peraea, was given to Agrippa.
• In January 41, on the twenty-fourth, the emperor,
  Caligula, was murdered, and the Jewish king
  played a very important role during the accession
  of Claudius. The latter was grateful to Agrippa
  Judaea and Samaria were added to Herod Agrippa's
  realm. He was now king of all the territories
  that had once been ruled by Herod the Great.
  Jerusalem was again the capital of Palestine as a
  whole and received new city walls.
• Like his uncles and grandfather, Agrippa was both
  a hellenistic and a Jewish ruler. His building
  program was essentially Greek for example, he
  constructed a theater, an amphitheater, baths and
  porticoes in Beyrouth, a 'pagan' city. On the
  other hand, he did a lot for the temple in
  Jerusalem, repaired several buildings, and
  finished an aqueduct that had been ordered by
  Herod the Great and continued by Pontius Pilate.
  And many pious Jews will have appreciated how he
  took measures against a sect from Galilee, the
  Christians.

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Chapter 26 Discussion

• Chapter 26 Verses 1-18
• In vs 18 Paul speaks of his mission.Discuss.
• The main hindrance to this is the tendency of
  people to cling on to their sins.  "This is the
  verdict Light has come into the world, but men
  loved darkness instead of light because their
  deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates
  the light, and will not come into the light for
  fear that his deeds will be exposed." John
  319,20
• "For he has rescued us from the dominion of
  darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the
  Son he loves." Col 113 
• Faith in Christ is God's requirement to receive
  salvation. The message of the gospel is
  inevitably humiliating as it deals with sin. And
  such is the most common reason people reject it.
  In this way God filters out the proud and makes
  salvation only available for the humble.

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Chapter 26 Discussion

• Chapter 26 Verses 19-32
• In contrast to his testimony to Felix and Festus
  we see here Paul placing greater emphasis on his
  calling and on the Word of God. Why?
• For he was speaking to a Jew who was more
  prepared to hear the message from such a
  perspective.

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Chapter 26 Discussion

• Chapter 26 Verses 19-32
• In vs 20 define repentence.
• Antinominan theology relegates "repentance" to
  simply a change of ideas, whereas the Biblical
  concept of repentance we see here involves a
  change of behavior.
• Antinomianism , or lawlessness, in theology, is
  the idea that members of a particular religious
  group are under no obligation to obey the laws of
  ethics or morality as presented by religious
  authorities. Antinomianism is the polar opposite
  of legalism, the notion that obedience to a code
  of religious law is necessary for salvation.
• Antinomian theology dominates modern American
  Christianity in which the gospel is preached
  irrespective of one's behavior and those who
  preached repentance in the same manner as Jesus
  and his apostles are often slanderously accused
  of legalism. For those who call themselves
  "Christian", but continue to live a lifestyle of
  sin I exhort you to repent and change your
  behavior. 

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Chapter 26 Discussion

• Chapter 26 Verses 19-32
• vs 24-28 How did Festus take Pauls defense?
• All this is foolishness to Festus, the Gentile,
  which is consistent
• with 1Cor 118  "For the preaching of the cross
  is to them that perish foolishness but unto us
  which are saved it is the power of God."
• And 1Cor 123 "But we preach Christ crucified,
  unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the
  Greeks foolishness"
• How does Agrippa view this?
• But Agrippa doesn't view this as foolish. In fact
  he's almost persuaded to become a Christian.
  Significant as an apologetic point is the phrase
  "this thing was not done in a corner"
• In vs 29 there is an interesting challenge to
  Christians. What is it?
• Do you feel that your faith in Christ and your
  practice of the Christian life is of a quality
  that you would like to see reflected in others?
  Do you want others to become like you in such
  areas of faith and lifestyle? That's what Paul
  had in mind. He says 1Cor 111 " Follow my
  example, as I follow the example of Christ."

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Chapter 27 Discussion

• Chapter 27 Verses 1-20
• In vs 2 Who was Aristarchus?
• Aristarchus "a Macedonian of Thessalonica," ,
  was, despite his high-sounding name, a humble man
  of God was one of the few who had both the faith
  and the courage to remain with the apostle Paul
  during the troubles that Paul, and his loyal
  friends, encountered during their missionary
  journeys. Aristarchus was with Paul on the
  shipwreck on Malta and Aristarchus was a
  "fellow-prisoner" with Paul at Rome - and very
  likely shared Paul's martyrdom there.
  "Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being
  with us"
• Aristarchus was present at the riot at Ephesus,
  caused by Paul's teaching that idols are
  worthless. The riot was incited by Demetrius The
  Idol Merchant and other businessmen who were the
  manufacturers and merchants of religious statues
  and images.
• Aristarchus' courage was no less than that of
  Paul - Aristarchus stayed the course regardless
  of the opposition. He accompanied Paul back to
  Jerusalem.
• The Bible does not record what happened to
  Aristarchus, however one tradition says that he
  was martyred in Rome by Emperor Nero.

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Chapter 27 Discussion

• Chapter 27 Verses 1-20
• In vs 3 how was Paul treated?
• It appears from the start, though being a
  prisoner, Paul was treated with a degree of
  respect probably stemming from the reputation he
  developed through the years of his captivity in
  Caesarea. Furthermore though awaiting his trial
  he was no doubt reckoned innocent, as Felix and
  Agrippa had already concluded. And in addition he
  was no doubt perceived as having an unprejudiced
  love for the Gentiles uncommon among Jews.
• In vs 9-11 Paul warned the Centurian bout the
  voyage. How did he know something was going to
  happen?
• It was later September or even November, a time
  in which sailing was dangerous due to the typical
  bad weather. The word "perceive" is not "oida"
  which is a reasoning type of perception based
  upon outward observations, but rather "theoreo"
  which is more literally to see something as an
  observer. But as Paul is not referring to
  something which he physcially sees, this
  indicates a vision and this word is used as such
  in a number of visions  Luke 1018  Jesus'
  vision, Acts 756 Stephen's vision, Acts 1011
  Peter's vision
•  

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Chapter 27 Discussion

• Chapter 27 Verses 1-20
• Who was the centurian persuaded by?
• The centurion was more persuaded by the own of
  the ship than by Paul, as would most people in
  the world, reckoning that the owner had more
  experience.
• What is the lesson for us today? Read Heb 42
• But experience in the world can never replace
  God's word. For though science may tell us what
  normally happens, God can tell us what actually
  will happen.
• Heb 42 Though people may be zealous to fulfill
  their worldly responsibilities, such may end up
  being counter-productive if they ignore God's
  Word.
• In vs 20 we see how GOD works. How?
• Often God brings people to the point of
  hopelessness before saving them. It is written,
  "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves
  those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 3418 God
  brings humiliation to humble us and then saves us
  from our circumstances.  

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Chapter 27 Discussion

• Chapter 27 Verses 21-44
• In vs 21 Paul says "See I told you so! Why is
  Paul so sure of himself?
• Too often this is said by those who simply guess
  right, but here Paul points to his prophetic
  visions so as to help to lead these men to faith.
  For now I'm sure they took his word more
  seriously. Wise men can learn from other people's
  experience. But others learn from their own
  experience and by doing so gain wisdom.
• In vs 24 Paul says "God has graciously given you
  the lives of all who sail with you" Can you say
  that when an unbeliever is in distress and
  looking to you for help?
• Pr 1320 "He that walketh with wise men shall be
  wise  but a companion of fools shall be
  destroyed."
• In vs 27-31 "Unless these men stay with the ship,
  you cannot be saved." Can prophesy be fullfilled
  without cooperation?
• Cooperation is involved in the fulfillment of
  prophecy as it is also involved in one coming to
  saving faith in Christ. Paul prophesied that they
  would all be saved. Of course I'm referring to
  salvation from drowning. But now he places
  conditions upon their salvation. This is a test
  of faith. To be saved they must act upon their
  faith.

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Chapter 27 Discussion

• Chapter 27 Verses 21-44
• Put this into terms of experiences we encounter.
• Let us allegorize this The men in the boat are
  as one person. They receive the word of God from
  Paul. But there are doubts represented by the
  sailors trying to escape. To be saved a person
  must act upon their faith, cutting away their
  doubts and burn their bridges. Jesus must not be
  viewed simply as another way to be saved, but
  rather as the only way.