Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session EIGHTEEN: Paul Continues His Defense
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 25:1 – 26:32
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
III. Paul Before Festus (25:1-12)
a. Festus was more fair and just. (he died in office 2 yrs later)
• Renewed enthusiasm to bring charges against Paul. (vv. 2-8)
• Festus could have released Paul but wanted to send Paul to Jerusalem. (vs. 9)
• Paul’s recourse is to appeal to Caesar (provocatio). (vv. 10-12)
1. Caesarem appellatio vs. Caesarem provocatio
IV. Paul’s Defense before Festus and Agrippa (25:13-26:33)
a. Review Herods sheet from session Nine (yellow sheet)
• Bernice accompanies Agrippa.
b. Festus explains Paul’s situation.
• He was “at a loss” on how to proceed. Paul appealed to Caesar.
• Agrippa wants to hear for himself.
c. Amid great “pomp” (fantasia = fantasia) Agrippa, Bernice, Festus, Commanders, and Prominent men come to hear Paul. (Matthew 10:17)
• Nothing definite to charge Paul with (in reality, Festus did not lack charges, he lacked evidence to convict).
• Paul permitted to speak.
d. Paul gives his testimony (Damascus Road) in greater detail.
• Comparing the accounts in Acts:
1. Acts 9:3ff = emphasis on Paul’s Apostolic Qualification.
2. Acts 22:6ff = emphasis on Paul’s unique calling to the Gentiles.
3. Acts 26:12-18 = emphasis on the Prophetic Authorization of Paul’s calling – similar to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. (16-18)
a. Jesus “appointed” Paul as a servant and witness.
b. Jesus will “rescue” Paul.
c. Jesus is “sending” Paul to bring the Light of Christ into Satan’s domain of darkness.
• Paul declares his obedience to the vision from God.
• Paul maintains that he is not preaching anything new, but rather, the same message as Moses and the Prophets.
V. Festus and Agrippa Respond (26:24-32)
a. Paul’s “great learning.”
b. Agrippa’s missed opportunity.
c. Verdict – not guilty - but an appeal to Caesar was made.
VI. APPLICATION
a. Don’t be afraid to boldly share your faith with unbelievers. Even at the risk of rejection and ridicule, your words might just be what it takes to lead someone to embrace faith in Jesus at a later time.
b. When you encounter God in some personal way (healing, revelation, and/or answer to prayer) don’t be afraid to talk about it over and over again.
c. Kings, Presidents, and Politicians also need to hear about Jesus. So many in the world today are still only “almost persuaded.”
VII. Close in Prayer
No Class on May 13th
NEXT SESSION (May 20th): Paul Sent to Rome
Read ACTS 27:1 – 28:16 to prepare for class.
