Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa

The king gave Paul permission to speak, and Paul raised his hand in salutation to Agrippa (Acts 26:1). The Greek expression is different here.[1] In both Acts 13:16 and in 21:40 the gesture was intended to invite silence, but here Paul meant to express respect to the king’s office. He began by admitting it was his (Paul’s) honor to discuss his case before Agrippa, whom, Paul claimed, was well aware of the traditions of the Jews, as well as those matters in which they vigorously debated among themselves (Acts 26:2-3). Thus, with the matter of his being accused of treason against Caesar taken out of the way by Festus (Acts 25:25, cp. 25:18-19), Paul framed his charges around that of Jewish tradition and theology.

 

Paul’s Defense—“I am a Jew!”

After Paul was seized and taken from the Temple compound, the gates of the Temple were shut, presumably to undergo purification rites over the assumption that a gentile had entered into the forbidden area beyond the great wall, which separated the court of the gentiles from the court of the Jews. Josephus tells us that a sign had been placed on the wall forbidding anyone of any other race to enter the inner Temple courts under pain of immediate execution.[1]

 

Paul’s Debate in Thessalonica

When Paul and company arrived at Thessalonica and settled in they entered the synagogue, whereupon Paul began reasoning with the local Jews and God-fearing gentiles according to the Scriptures. Paul’s argument took the form of a logical analysis concerning the identity of the Messiah. Luke states two of Paul’s probably three premises concluding that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

 

The So-Called Silent Years of Paul

The time between his Damascus road vision (35 CE) and the Council of Jerusalem (49 CE) are sometimes referred to as the unknown or silent years of Paul.[1] The period comprises fourteen years and we have only sporadic information about Paul’s whereabouts and what he was doing. Scholars conclude that both Luke and Paul offer little information about this period of time, and one is left wondering why such a large period in Paul’s life is so blank in the Biblical record, and, if Paul is supposed to be the Apostle to the gentiles, why does it take so long to get him on the mission field, so to speak?

 

Does Paul Contradict Luke in Damascus?

Recently, I’ve been running across websites that claim Luke and Paul disagree concerning the events surrounding Paul’s conversion. Some critics say Paul’s vision was in Damascus, not on the road to the city. I don’t know what difference that would make, if it were true, except to undermine the Scriptures’ claim that they are the word of God for us and aren’t contradictory within the text. Nevertheless, little things like these keep jumping out at me as I study the book of Acts and read what others say about it online.

 

Is Suffering a Sign of Divine Favor?

Obviously, not all suffering is of God, nor does it mean one is held in his favor. However, I have read, and I believe it to be true, that suffering in the midst of one’s devotion to God is not only a sign one is in the narrow path to glory but also a sign of divine favor. Certainly we exalt those men and women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to risk life and limb for their country. So, there is reason to believe that suffering for one’s country or out of devotion to God is worthy of praise.