Note for 2024/06/27 - ‭Acts 26:1-32 KJV - Paul before King Agrippa‬

 

‭Acts 26:1-32 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? [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. [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. [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] 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.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.26.1-32.KJV

Note for 2024/06/27

Paul before King Agrippa, it is a compelling argument for Christ when you know the Old Testament. I am not surprised that King Agrippa stated that Paul almost made him a believer.

Almost! Is “almost” enough though? Something that I have learned is that we only know the public side of a person, and I mean that which man is comfortable revealing of himself to others. What happens in the inner room is secret, less it is revealed to us of GOD. By their fruit shall we know them. Is that not what Christ said? The text here is plain, and by now we have read Paul's testimony a few times. And, if you have been following these notes, you have read much of mine. 

Paul could have been set at liberty, if he did not appeal to Caesar. But we know now, that The Lord said unto Paul that he should testify for him in Rome and his appeal would take him there. 

I ask again: what is it that GOD called you to do? Are you on your way? That what needs to happen, will; just as Jonah was taken into the belly of the fish and delivered up from there to perform the duty that he was called for. So was Paul kept under Roman guard, even protected from those who want to end his life. What then is it to go against that which GOD wills? 

Friends, what is the purpose of your life? Are we not called to love one another and GOD above all? Are we not called out of the world, to live a life separated from the sin of the world, but sent unto them to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ? As Jonah had the fish and Paul the Romans; what will keep you in the way of your task? How is the knowledge, wisdom, strength and love made manifest in you? By our circumstances we are kept, and by our testimony is the Will of GOD made known to others. Some accepting, others not; and hopefully, if not, may it only be, not yet. 

When I was a young child, my father taught me by counting off the words on my fingers, "The Lord is my Shepherd," grasping his index finger with the other hand for the word, "my." Later I learned that the word used for "The Lord '' in Psalm 23 verse 1 in the Hebrew tongue, is El Ro'i, which means, GOD who sees me. The very same word is used, when Hannah calls on GOD in gratitude for Samuel. The LORD sees us, and I still find it so remarkable that the LORD of all Creation has a personal interest in me. He sees you too. He knows your circumstances, yes! He knows the cries of your heart, and according to John 3:16, in His love for us, He sent our Lord Jesus Christ to us for our Salvation. Even call His Son after His intention towards us, GOD Saves. 

Friends, we live in a remarkable time. A time, which many of the Prophets of GOD described what they saw in visions. Even Jesus Christ spoke on it. When the wolves come, the Hirelings will be run off and the sheep will be scattered. So will the great falling away begin. But you, don't you fall away. Remain in the Lord Jesus Christ. If the sheep are scattered, who then will tend to them, if we are scattered too or fast asleep? There is a spiritual preparation required for the times ahead, yes! The oil for our lamps are needed now, to shine bright in times to come shortly. Let there then be no more delay in your preparations, for our redemption draws near. 

Shalom

Verse of the Day

(From YouVersion Bible App, expanded from verse 8 and 9)

‭1 Peter 5:1-11 KJV‬

[1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: [2] feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. [5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.1-11.KJV

Listen to:

06 26 2024 The Dawn Before Tomorrow - Water And Crypto And Spiders - Oh My!

Mike from around the World from COT

Duration: 2 hours 22 minutes and 2 seconds

Link:

https://soundcloud.com/ouncil1archive/06-26-2024-the-dawn-before-tomorrow-water-and-crypto-and-spiders-oh-my