All Might Become Such As I Am

“ALL MIGHT BECOME SUCH AS I AM”

Acts 25:1–26:32 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 26:29, "And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

1. How had things just ended, and why (24:27)? What does the new governor do first, and why (25:1)? What do the Jewish leaders urge him to do, and why (2–3)? How does Festus respond, and why (4–5)?
2. How does Paul’s trial before Festus begin (6–7)? What are the main points of Paul’s defense (8)? What does Festus say, and why (9)? How does Paul defend himself, and why (10–11)? What does Festus decide, and why (12)?
3. What happens next, and why (13)? Find out what you can about these people. What do we learn from how Festus reviews Paul’s case to Agrippa (14–22)? How is the scene described, and why (23)? What does Festus say to Agrippa publicly, and why (24–27)?
4. How does Paul begin (26:1–4)? In his view, why is he on trial (5–8)? What was his initial reaction to the name of Jesus (9–11)? How does he describe his encounter with him (12–15)? What did Jesus tell him (16–17)? What did he tell Paul to do (18), and why is this good news for all people?
5. How did Paul respond (19–20)? How does this explain why the Jews seized him (21)? How does he summarize his life and message (22–23)? Note how Paul repeats the word “light” (13,18,23). What does it mean to experience this light (Luke 1:78–79; 2 Cor.4:6)?
6. How does Festus respond, and why (24)? How does Paul answer (25), and why does he reach out to King Agrippa (26–27)? Read verses 28–29. What is the ironic contrast between Agrippa and Paul? What is it about being a Christian that is most blessed (Eph.1:7,18; Phil.3:8,10; Gal.5:22–23a)? How do things conclude (30–32)?

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References:

Q5: Luke 1:78–79: “...because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

2 Cor.4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Q6: Eph.1:7: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…”

1:18: “...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…”

Phi.3:8: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…

3:10: “...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”

Gal.5:22–23a: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”