Paul's Background as a Pharisee

A Living Faith
Who Understands Faith?
Paul before King Agrippa

Acts 26:1-8

The Message

“I Couldn’t Just Walk Away”

26 ^1-3 Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: “Go ahead—tell us about yourself.”

Paul took the stand and told his story. “I can’t think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I’d rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you, knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.
^4-8 “From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem. Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up—and if they were willing to stick their necks out they’d tell you in person—knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion. It’s because I believed it and took it seriously, committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors—the identical hope, mind you, that the twelve tribes have lived for night and day all these centuries—it’s because I have held on to this tested and tried hope that I’m being called on the carpet by the Jews. They should be the ones standing trial here, not me! For the life of me, I can’t see why it’s a criminal offense to believe that God raises the dead.

For Reflection

How often is this scene repeated in our history as well as in our own time?  How often have we made criminals out of those who's beliefs differ from ours  How often have we murdered in the name of a God we did not fully understand or assumed incorrectly that we did? How often have we passed opportunities to understand and draw closer to God by blind defense of half-truths masquerading as whole truths?  How do you avoid this pitfall?

Pray

that you will study the scriptures, engage in free and open discussion unfettered by threat, and pray often.  Pray that you will not be seduced by the easy answers and work to grow into greater maturity, facing change fearlessly and in the council of God.