ACTS: Before a King and Those of Authority, Paul Asked the Question, "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"

And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. (Acts 25:13)

King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice traveled to Caesarea, but he was not king of Judae as his father, Agrippa I had been.  "Claudius entrusted to him the supervision of the Temple in Jerusalem and gave him the right to appoint the high priest. In 54 his rule over Chalcis was brought to an end; he was compensated with the tetrarchy of Lysanias which consisted of Bashan-Trachonitis and Gaulanitis and with the administration of the province of Varus. From then on he was one of the most important rulers in the eastern part of the Roman Empire."  He was the last king of the line of Herod.  So, because of his title and authority, it made sense for him to travel to Caesarea.

When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. (Acts 25:14-17)

When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.” (Acts 25:18-22)

So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. 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 at 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 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. For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.” (Acts 25:23-27) EXACTLY!

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. (Acts 26:1-3) Remember when Tertullus, the orator pleaded the Jews case against Paul before Felix, he used flattering words and said a bunch of nothing.   Here, Paul was pleading his own case, but still stating the facts.  King Agrippa was an expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews, because he was supervisor of the temple in Jerusalem and given the right to appoint the high priests.

Paul continued, “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:4-8)

Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)  Paul confirmed to the church in Colossi, "...the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Colossians 1:23) Every person, every creature, believe it or not, has heard the gospel.  How?  Because God made sure they did!  Remember when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit while in Jerusalem and started speaking to all the people there, And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:5-6)

Well the gospel didn't start and end in Jerusalem, but many of those same people became Christians and spread that gospel where ever they went.  That's why when the apostle Paul and other disciples went on their many missionary journies throughout the known world, in many places the people had already heard something about God and Jesus.  Unfortunately, just like today, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)  

But what God used to help spread the gospel was the Roman empire.  "The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."  Paul even wrote to the church in Rome, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,..." (Romans 1:18-20)

Paul made the statement to King Agrippa, "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"  He was familiar with the Jews and their history.  He knew all that God had done through them and for them as a people, and how they earnestly served God night and day.  Just because everyone knows the Truth doesn't mean they'll believe the Truth, but everyone does know the Truth.  God is real!  He has demonstrated His power throughout creation, not just in Jerusalem, but even more through His Son, Christ Jesus.  "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus... (Acts 5:30) From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— (Acts 13:23) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world." (I John 4:14)

Paul continued preaching the gospel to King Agrippa, as we will study in the next lesson...