June 30
Lesson 5 (KJV)
Fearless Witness
Devotional Reading: Philippians 3:1–14
Background Scripture: Acts 26:1–11
Acts 26:1–11
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things of which I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Key Text
Now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:—Acts 26:6
Hope in the Lord
Unit I: Experiencing Hope
Lessons 1–5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize Paul’s actions (as Saul) before his conversion.
2. Explain why Paul characterized the Pharisees as a “sect.”
3. Identify the most important “takeaway” from the lesson to practice personally.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. The Rules of Debate
B. Lesson Context
I. Paul Begins His Defense (Acts 26:1–8)
A. What Agrippa Knew (vv. 1–3)
B. What the Jews Knew (vv. 4–5)
C. What the Accusation Was (vv. 6–8)
II. Paul Summarizes His Error (Acts 26:9–11)
A. Opposed the Name (v. 9)
B. Persecuted Christians (vv. 10–11)
Tact—The Lost Art?
On Being an Extremist
Conclusion
A. Greatest Shame, Greatest Strength
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
How to Say It
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Caesarea Maritima |
Sess-uh-ree-uh Mar-uh-tee-muh. |
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Gamaliel |
Guh-may-lih-ul or Guh-may-lee-al. |
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Herodians |
Heh-roe-dee-unz. |
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What Do You Think? Do Christians need to wait for an authority to give permission to talk about our faith? Why or why not? Digging Deeper What attitude(s) might make others curious to hear what you have to say, whether or not you have “permission” to speak? |
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What Do You Think? What can be learned from Paul’s defense of himself about the importance of clearly explaining one’s faith? Digging Deeper What opportunities can you practice communicating your faith with respect and humility? |
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What Do You Think? What are some examples of hopes and dreams your ancestors passed on to you? Digging Deeper How can you pass along your hope and faith to future generations? |
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What Do You Think? How does your hope in the resurrection help you face the future with optimism and peace? Digging Deeper How could you respond to someone who finds it difficult to believe in the resurrection of the dead? |
Conclusion
A. Greatest Shame, Greatest Strength
All believers who have turned to God were once God’s enemies (Romans 5:10). This means having opposed what God was doing. God desires to make peace, find reconciliation, and move forward in life’s newness. Unlike participating on the debate team mentioned earlier, we should seek reconciliation rather than victory. And we don’t have to look hard to find it—it’s in the Bible. See Romans 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Ephesians 2:14–22; and Colossians 1:19–23. Paul, the one-time deadly enemy of the church, wrote all those texts on reconciliation.
Though Paul was ashamed of his past behavior, this did not hinder his ministry. One result was a particular set of sad ironies in that ministry. He who had had blindness inflicted upon him (Acts 9:8–9) found it necessary to impose it on another in turn (13:11). He who beat others (22:19) was in turn beaten (16:22). He who imprisoned others (8:3) was himself imprisoned—more than once (16:23; etc.). He who approved the death of others (8:1) was eventually executed for that same faith.
Through it all, he followed the call of God to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. In what ways can you follow in Paul’s footsteps?
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What Do You Think? When have you acted out of deep conviction only to repent of your deeds later? Digging Deeper What did you learn from the experience that helped you avoid a repeat offense? |
B. Prayer
Father in Heaven, we were once enemies, but You sent Jesus to die for our sins. Make us skilled in communicating Your reconciliation to others. This will make us eager to make disciples rather than win arguments. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
If God is for us, no one can stand against us!
Involvement Learning
Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).
Jason Hitchcock, Andrew Wood, and Mark Taylor, “Fearless Witness,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2024), 383–384.
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