Paul’s Trials (Acts 25:1 – 28:31) Trefor Bacon

Paul’s Trials CHAPTER 25 Paul Appeals to Caesar (25:1-12) Paul before King Agrippa (25:13-27) CHAPTER 26 King Agrippa Hears Paul (26:1-23) Reaction to Paul’s Speech (26:24-32)

The Voyage to Rome CHAPTER 27 Departure for Rome (27:1-5) Storm and Shipwreck (27:6-44) CHAPTER 28 Winter in Malta (28:1-10) Arrival in Rome (28:11-16) Testimony to Jews in Rome (28:17-31)

Parallels between Paul and Jesus Both are seized by Jewish mobs and later turned over to Roman procurators for trial… Paul (Acts 26:1-32)  King Agrippa Hears Paul Jesus (Luke 23:1-5 and 23:6-17)  Jesus before Pilate  Jesus before Herod

Parallels between Paul and Jesus Both take bread, gives thanks, and break it... Paul (Acts 27:35)  “When he said this, he took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it and began to eat.” Jesus (Luke 24:30 )  “And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” continued…

Parallels between Paul and Peter Both give witness to the risen Christ… Peter (Acts1:21-22)  “Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” Paul (Acts 23:11; 26:16)  “Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen (of me) and what you will be shown.”

Parallels between Paul and Peter Both are accused of acting against Moses Peter (Acts 6:13-14)  “They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying things against (this) holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”” Paul (Acts 21:20-21)  “They praised God when they heard it but said to him, “Brother, you see how many thousands of believers there are from among the Jews, and they are all zealous observers of the law. They have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses and that you are telling them not to circumcise their children or to observe their customary practices.”” continued…

Parallels between Paul and Peter Both succeed in preaching God's word… Peter (Acts 12:24)  “But the word of God continued to spread and grow.” Paul (Acts 28:30-31)  “He remained for two full years in his lodging. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” continued…

Paul's Autobiographical Speech Parallels Luke’s Initial Narrative Account (Acts 9:3) “Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” Paul’s Speech to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:6) “While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.” Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:12-13) “With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.”

Paul's Autobiographical Speech Parallels Luke’s Initial Narrative Account (Acts 9:4-5) “He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Paul’s Speech to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:7-8) I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Then he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazoreth whom you are persecuting.’ Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:14-15) When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.’ continued…

Paul’s Speech to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:10) “I asked, ‘What am I to do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.’ Paul's Autobiographical Speech Parallels Luke’s Initial Narrative Account (Acts 9:6) “But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:16) “But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.” continued…

Paul's Autobiographical Speech Parallels Differences: Luke’s Initial Narrative Account (Acts 9:3-30) - An initial account of his story… Recounts Saul’s story from a Narrative view. Paul’s Speech to the Jews (Acts 22:6-21) - An Autobiographical Speech to Jews… More descriptive Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:12-18) - An Autobiographical testimony to the King… More incentive to embellish in the story Leaves out the fact that he was blinded by the light and then healed by Ananias continued…

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