Daily Bible Devotionals

“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian (Christ follower) Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:27-29 (NKJV)

Paul had guts.  I love the way he just lays out the gospel like he’s their rabbi!  Then there is the abrupt, albeit somewhat humorous, reminder that Paul is in shackles.

Remember the game show “Truth or Consequences”?  Maybe you’re too young.  Contestants answered questions to win prizes.  If they got the answer wrong, they were subjected to some demeaning stunt.  It seems that just when Paul was convincing Agrippa of the truth, the king was reminded of the possible consequences of following Jesus.  Given his pomp and political power, the consequence of dishonor and imprisonment was too much for Agrippa.

I was like Agrippa.  Confronted with the truth, I chose to focus on Worldly consequences for many years and to ignore the eternal one: the certainty of Hell.  I was more concerned with temporary earthly glory than the promise of permanent glory in Heaven.

The Lord persistently pursued me.  He watched as time after time, I made poor choices.  Ultimately, I was convinced the glory of this World is nothing worth having.  Even when you get earthly glory, it quickly fades.  I was empty and tired, and finally, the gospel ceased to be annoying.  It became my shelter.

It was because of a person like Paul that I came to believe in Jesus.  I was like one of the onlookers in the Roman Governor’s palace.  I overheard a guy boldly proclaiming Jesus to another guy.  The guy he was sharing with just laughed at him…but I believed!

Why do we make our Church services open to the public?  Because we want everyone to know the gospel of Jesus, receive it, and belong to the greater Church.  For almost a decade, I have been launching Bible studies in coffeehouses, where there is a high probability that non-believers would “stumble upon” them by God’s leading and grace.  They come to the coffeehouse for a latte, but they leave with a whole “latte” more: Salvation through faith in Jesus!

Paul said, “…but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29b (NKJV)

Paul understood that God’s target audience, “all who are listening to me today,” might not contain King Agrippa, the particular person whom Paul was trying to persuade.  It is not incumbent upon us believers to produce faith decisions from people.  We cannot make people believe.  Instead, by all means, we faithfully proclaim Messiah Jesus, trusting His Holy Spirit to convince men and women to believe, even though we may be in “chains” at the moment.

“And Festus said, ‘King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.  But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to (the emperor) Augustus, I decided to send him.  I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him.  Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.’” Acts 25: 24-26 (NKJV)

Have you ever tried to share the hope of Jesus with a stranger?  It can be very uncomfortable because you never know how people will react.  Sometimes people get angry, and other times they’re ready to follow Jesus on the spot.  Sadly, most believers aren’t prepared for either scenario.

Evangelism can be like shark fishing.  In shark fishing, there are two questions: 1) How am I going to catch a shark? Or 2) “What am I going to do with a shark in my boat?!!!

Paul saw a wide variety of responses when he shared the gospel.  Many believed, and the Church, as we know it, was born.  Others wanted to kill Paul.  The Roman Governor Felix protected Paul, but his true desire was for Paul’s money.  Enter Roman Governor, Festus.  Festus inherited the “problem of Paul” from his predecessor.  Stuck between politics and principles, Festus was such a weak leader that he needed a committee to tell him how to accuse Paul.    

The great message of today’s passage is that Festus never found anything wrong with Paul’s character, politics, or theology.  Could that be said of you?

A few years back, I wrote a song that posed a question: “If loving God was a crime, would you be an outlaw?” This was Festus’ dilemma with accusing Paul, and it was Babylonian official’s dilemma when trying to accuse Daniel.  They literally had to make loving God against the law because they could find no other flaws in their characters.  Does your life honor God in such a way that your accusers couldn’t find any evidence of worldliness, so they would have to make your devotion to the Lord illegal to have overwhelming evidence to convict you?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Acts 24. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, son of Pharisees!  I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!’ When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.  For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and no angel and spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.  The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party got up and argued vehemently:  ‘We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’” Acts 23:6-9 (HCSB)

It’s easy to think the apostles were always laid back and relaxed amid opposition.  In reality, the scene was often totally terrifying.  “Real-time” seldom gives an account of the future, so Paul had no idea what would happen next.  What he DID have was Jesus’ promise of two things:  1) Persecution and 2) The presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus had said to his disciples: “Because people will hand you over to Sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them.  You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations.  But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak.  For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of Your Father is speaking through you.” Matt 10:17-20 (HCSB)

Just because Paul was not standing by when Jesus spoke those words is no indicator that He did not communicate that message of strength and grace through other means.  Jesus could have easily relayed that information through 1) Testimony from people who heard it firsthand, 2) Revelation from the Spirit by dreams and visions, and 3) Direct personal revelation, as He did with Paul on the road to Damascus.  

No doubt, Paul was a brilliant intellectual.  Still, if you asked him, I’m sure Paul would give the credit to God for getting him through this otherwise terrifying situation.

How can we become like Paul?  Right now, you’re on the right track.  You are seeking God’s Word.  You are depositing Scriptural knowledge into your mental “bank account.” Then, as life continues, the Spirit guides you by drawing from that Scriptural knowledge.  The Spirit literally transfers God’s Word from your mental “account” into your Heart…giving it practical context, matched with the motivation to act out and seize ministry opportunities…then to your mouth so you can bear witness.        

It’s kind of like your ATM card: No money in the bank, no withdrawal...lots of money in the bank, no purchase is impossible.  Keep “depositing” God’s Word into your spiritual account!  God wants you to make a few “withdrawals” and see a few more folks enter into a saving relationship with Him through your testimony!

“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.” So I said, “Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” Then He said to me, “Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.””  Acts 22:17-21 (NJKV)

I was in college when I began following Jesus.  I was also a member of a Greek fraternity on campus.  Shortly after my salvation, I began sharing the gospel with members of my fraternity.  I was zealous and aggressive, which made me obnoxious to everyone!  I truly believed my friends would consider my new life compared to my former “worldly” life, and they would convert based on my transformation.

As it turned out, my friends weren’t interested in my gospel presentation.  Word of my conversion spread, and I eventually found myself the outsider of our “fraternal” social circle.  I had always been in the center of that scene…now, an outsider.  I could not understand why they rejected my testimony about Jesus.  

I began thinking about where things went wrong with my evangelism techniques.  In the words of John Mayer, “Maybe, it’s got nothing to do with me.”  Perhaps, my friends simply didn’t want to be confronted with the truth about Jesus, no matter who delivered it.  

After that experience, I couldn’t imagine leading anyone to Jesus!  But God had a different plan.  

Like the Apostle Paul, the Lord had me leave my “Jerusalem.”   That is, I left college (along with my initial evangelistic experiences) behind.  But those early “seeds” of the gospel did not all go to waste.  Over the years, several of my old fraternity brothers have shared how my testimony played a distinct and eventual role in their salvation.

It is good to be zealous, but zealousness without submission to God’s authority and the Spirit’s direction leads to trouble.  When we place zeal under submission, the Bible calls that “meekness.”  A horse becomes useful to the rider when made meek to the bridle.  Likewise, we become useful to God when we submit to His plan for us.  Paul surrendered to God’s plan, and just look how the Lord used him!  The Lord wants to do mighty things through you as well.  Are you ready to follow His will and His leading?

“Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?  For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’  So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” Acts 21:13-14 (NKJV)

Soon after I decided to follow Jesus, I began attending a Bible study.  One evening the study leader asked if anyone knew any “Jesus songs.”  I owned a guitar, so I started writing songs...something I never knew I could do.  A year later, I was offered a chance to record my songs as a professional musician.  Following that opportunity meant I had to leave college…and the full-ride track scholarship that came with it.

I remember sitting in my car, listening to a cassette tape of John MacArthur preaching, “The Crisis of Decision.”  I had been seeking the Lord for months, and I was confident he was leading me into the “Christian” music business.  I turned left and drove to Memphis, leaving college.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

I wish I could say that all my friends and family supported my step of faith.  They didn’t.  It’s not that they didn’t love the Lord.  It’s just difficult sometimes watching others make faith-based decisions that the Lord hasn’t led them to.  The Lord was asking me to step out in a way that nobody I knew had ever followed Him, so they doubted that I was actually listening to the Lord.

The Bible says there is wisdom in good counsel.  (Proverbs 13:10) It is good to be accountable and downright necessary!  Still, there are times when people’s concern for your well-being may be evidence of their misunderstanding of “calling.”

That was the case for Paul in today’s passage.  The Spirit of God was testifying to the believers about Paul’s suffering, so they were concerned about his well-being.  But they were unaware of the ministry opportunities that would follow Paul’s bondage.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.  Paul didn’t know what the outcome of his trip to Jerusalem would be.  But he had enough faith to know the Lord was sending him, and he had the obedience to go.

Is the Lord leading you in an unpopular direction?  Seek Him earnestly and listen to His voice.  If indeed He is leading you, then set your heart to follow Him.  No matter what you go through, He will bring you through it.

As was the case with Paul, we should follow the Lord in such a way that it would be utter foolishness were there no resurrection from the dead.

“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.  But I count my life of no value to myself so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”    Acts 20:22-24 (HCSB)

Remember Jeremiah 29:11?  “God has plans for us that are not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope.”  This verse is comforting news, especially when we feel all hope is lost.  But how does that jive with the Lord’s plan for Paul?  Chains and afflictions aren’t positive images.  Could it be that our 21st-century Christian culture has lost what it means to suffer for hope?

We are sure of four things concerning God:  He is all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful, and His character never changes.  That means there is NO dilemma you’ll experience that God is unaware of, isn’t standing alongside you through, doesn’t have the power to sustain you to the end, or will renegotiate His promises to you.

So, why do Kingdom-pursuant believers suffer?

You might recall that Jesus said, “A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20  (NIV)

There’s a promise we seldom claim with boldness!  No rational person wants to suffer.  To paraphrase General George S. Patton, “No fool ever won a war by dying for his country.  You win wars by making the other guy die for his country!”  No disrespect to General Patton or our fallen heroes, but Patton spoke of earthly wars.  We are engaged in spiritual warfare, and our battlefield stretches into eternity.  Death is not the end game.  It is the ultimate beginning, and “Where will we spend eternity?” is a more important question than “How will we preserve our quality of life on earth?”

Jesus conquered death so we might serve Him with our whole lives, even unto and beyond death.  The hope of the resurrection fuels the servant’s willingness to suffer in this life.  Sacrificial service fuels revival.

Jesus promised, “…I am going away to prepare a place for you.  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”  John 14:2b-3 (HCSB)

With confidence that Jesus is prepared to receive us into His heavenly kingdom, and without regard for this World, let us focus our sights on the mission at hand: To know God and make Him known so that others may know Him too.

“While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus.  He found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’  ‘No,’ they told him, ‘we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’  ‘Then what baptism (immersion) were you baptized with?’ he asked them.  ‘With John’s baptism (immersion),’ they replied.  Paul said, ‘John baptized (immersed) with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Messiah).  And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak with other languages and to prophesy.” Acts 19:1-6 (HCSB)

There was a well-intended preacher named Apollos, who had formerly been a follower of John the Baptist.  After Jesus’ crucifixion, and certainly after the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost, Apollos started putting his facts together and decided that Jesus was indeed Messiah.  So, he began preaching.  

“A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the Scriptures arrived in Ephesus.  This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John’s baptism.”  Acts 18:24-25 (HCSB)

The problem with Apollos was that his understanding and preaching consisted solely of fragments of the Gospel.  That meant that his belief and his “converts” fell short of the actual Gospel…as evidenced by their lacking the Holy Spirit.  All true believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit upon receiving Messiah Jesus.  This meant that, while Apollos and his “converts” knew who Jesus was, they didn’t “know” Him personally in a saving way.  I believe Jesus was speaking of such people when He addressed the end times in Matthew’s gospel:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.  On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?  Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you!  Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’  Matthew 7:21-23  (HCSB)

Priscilla and Aquila explained the Gospel in full, which led to Apollos’ salvation.  Then, Apollos’ preaching was correctly established.  But it was Paul who restored rightness to those who assumed a false sense of salvation from Apollos’ (previously) errant preaching.

Today’s chapter is, perhaps, an appeal for us to examine our spiritual lives.  Have we accumulated intellectual knowledge and facts about Jesus without actually surrendering our lives to Him?  Or have we truly surrendered our lives to follow Jesus?  As we labor to build His kingdom, are we sharing the WHOLE Gospel, or are we withholding essential parts that may lead to decisions but not result in salvation?

“After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus who had recently come from Italy with his wife, Priscilla because Claudius (the Roman Emperor) had ordered that all Jews leave Rome.”  Acts 18:1-2 (HCSB)

The expulsion of the Jews from Rome is generally connected with the remark of Suetonius, “Since the Jews were continually making disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [Claudius] expelled them from Rome.” (Claudius 25:4)

Some theologians believe that the unknown name “Chrestus” was a misspelling of the word “Christos,” meaning Christ.  (Of course, the original Hebrew word, from which the Greek translators chose “Christos,” is Moshiach.)  “Christos” seems to make more sense in light of the trial of Jesus and subsequent uproars concerning fights between Messianic and non-Messianic Jews.  Today’s passage certainly deals with such an incident.

It only makes sense that the Romans would grow tired of religious Jews and their accusations and riotous actions toward the Messianic Jews.  We must remember that at this time, the greater “Body of Messiah” was considered a sect of Judaism, and Gentile conversions were few and far between.

This growing anti-Semitism among Roman officials is seen first in Acts 18, with Gallio’s attitude towards Paul’s accusers.

“While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the judge’s bench.  ‘This man,’ they said, ‘persuades people to worship God contrary to the law (Torah)!’  As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of a crime or moral evil, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews.  But if there are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves.  I don’t want to be a judge of such things.’”  Acts 18:12-15 (HCSB)

Fast forward several hundred years: By the time Emperor Constantine declared that all Roman citizens were to be subsequently “Christians,” it is easy to see how Christianity quickly began to lose its Jewishness.  An empire, full of anti-Semites, was suddenly mandated to reckon with worshipping the Jewish Messiah and leave their paganism.

At least two good things happened due to Gallio’s lack of patience and sympathy for the Jewish case against Paul: 1) Paul was allowed to continue preaching, and 2) Synagogue leader Sosthenes was publicly rebuked and beaten by his own people.  Acts 18:17

In 1 Corinthians 1:1, we read that Sosthenes became a follower of Jesus.  Because of this particular incident, Sosthenes felt the bitter heartless cruelty of his own congregation.  Perhaps, that is when he decided to follow his former synagogue ruler, Crispus (Acts 18:8), and follow Jesus himself.