the point the passage the bible meets life the...

The PointJesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer.

The PassageActs 26:9-20

The Bible Meets LifeHatred can be an all-consuming passion. People can be so strong in their love for a person

or belief that they develop a hatred for anything that goes against the object of their love.

Christ sets us free from all that. He calls and empowers His followers to a lifestyle of love

instead.

The SettingPaul had been taken into Roman custody for being at the center of a riot in the Jerusalem

temple complex (Acts 21:26–22:29). For his own safety, he was taken to Caesarea (23:11-

33), where he remained in the custody of the Roman governor Felix for two years (24:27).

After two years, the new governor Festus examined Paul’s case and sought to send Paul

to Jerusalem to be tried before the Jewish leaders. However, Paul appealed to Caesar

(25:9-12). While Paul waited to be taken to Rome, Festus was visited by the Jewish king

Agrippa II. Festus brought Paul’s case before Agrippa, who was interested to hear Paul

speak (25:13–26:3).

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 135© 2015 LifeWay

What does the Bible say?

Acts 26:9-20 (HCSB)

9” In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them. 12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ “And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and of what I will reveal to you. 17 I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles. I now send you to them 18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.’ 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.”

Chief Priests (v. 10)—The chief priests were composed of the current high priest, former high priests, leaders of the 24 orders of priests serving in the Jerusalem temple, the captain of the temple police, the priest in charge of the finances of the temple treasury, and other high-ranking priests.

Goads (v. 14)—A goad was a rod, about 8 feet in length and pointed on one end, used to direct and control oxen.

Sanctified (v. 18)—To be sanctified means to be made holy or set apart. At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart (from sin, self, and the world) to God.

136 S E S S I O N 6© 2015 LifeWay

GET INTO THE STUDYDISCUSS: Invite your group members

to discuss Question 1 on page 107 of the

Personal Study Guide (PSG): “Why are

some teams so fun to ‘hate’?” Allow

time for each person to respond.

RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 108): Sports

fans can take it hard when someone

changes sides. The classic rivalry between

the Boston Red Sox and the New York

Yankees was fueled when Boston sold

Babe Ruth to New York. The Babe had

switched sides. Wayne Gretzky was a national treasure in Canada, and his countrymen

were outraged when he went to play for the Los Angeles Kings. The greatest hockey

player in history changed sides. Cleveland Cavalier fans loved LeBron James, but there

was great outrage when he abandoned them for Miami. (Of course, all was forgiven

when he came back four years later.)

SAY: “Switching sides. That’s how many Jews viewed Paul’s conversion to faith in

Christ. Originally called Saul, he was a rising star in the ranks of Judaism. He was

making quite a name for himself as an aggressive defender of the Jewish faith against

the new movement of people who claimed the resurrected Jesus was the Messiah. But

then Paul changed sides.”

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): To reinforce the idea of switching sides and experiencing

change, invite your group members to stand and choose a new seat for today’s session,

preferably far away from their original one with a new viewpoint.

GUIDE: Call the group’s attention to The Point on page 108 of the PSG: “Jesus can

transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer.”

PRAY: Transition into your Bible study time with prayer. As you wrap up this 6-week

study, pray for a greater understanding of God’s redemption to lead to a deeper faith.

Thank God for His desire to redeem all areas of our lives for His purposes.

10 minutes

Notes

TIP: The article, “It’s All About New Life” (noted on page 84) explores the new identities we’re given in Christ. Have time? Send a note with a link to the article to your group members this week to reinforce the truths found in this session.

Cut apart Pack Item #10 and have it ready to distribute to

your group. PLAYLIST PICK:

“At Your Feet (Surrender)” by Dan Bremnes

THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer.


10 minutes

Notes

Acts 26:9-11

9 “In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition

to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and

I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for

that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote

against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme

by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly

enraged at them.”

SUMMARIZE: At one time, Saul of Tarsus was one of those who opposed Christ

and His followers. In fact, he had been a ringleader in seeking their destruction.

When he encountered God on the Damascus road, God changed his name to Paul.

] At one point in Paul’s ministry, he was taken into custody (Acts 21:33-36). He

spent more than two years in custody, and during that time, he was able to

present his case before King Agrippa (26:1-3).

] Paul first confessed he formerly had supported the Jewish animosity toward

Christ. He had been consumed with hatred and rage toward the followers

of Jesus Christ. He openly admitted to casting believers into prison and

seeking their deaths. By acting on the authority of the Jewish chief priests,

Paul believed he was doing the will of God.

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Acts 26:9-11.

DISCUSS: Question 2 on page 110 of the PSG: “What makes the gospel

offensive to some people in today’s world?”

TRANSITION: Paul was passionate in his hatred for Christians. Only God could

completely transform his heart.

ALTERNATE QUESTION: How have you handled situations where your faith was questioned or criticized?

STUDY THE BIBLE


Acts 26:9-11 Commentary

Hatred for Jesus and His followers consumes some people. Verse 9: Two years earlier the apostle

Paul had been taken into Roman custody after being at the center of a riot in the temple complex in

Jerusalem (Acts 21:26–22:29). At that time he was able to address the entire Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-

23:10). When a plot against Paul’s life was discovered, he was moved to Caesarea on the coast (23:11-35).

There he gave his testimony to the Roman governor Felix, who delayed his verdict on Paul’s case for two

years (24:1-27). After Paul had spent two years in prison in Caesarea, the Jewish king Agrippa II visited

the new Roman governor Festus and requested to hear Paul speak (25:1-22). Agrippa was the grandson

of Herod the great and the last king of the Herodian Dynasty. He ruled part of the region of Galilee

around the Sea of Galilee, as well as territories to the north and east. He was well versed in the Scriptures

of the Old Testament and in Jewish customs; therefore it was believed he could be the better judge as to

the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah (26:3). In addressing Agrippa, Paul moved quickly to the

main issue—the Jewish messianic hope, which was fulfilled in Christ and confirmed by His resurrection.

Paul followed with his personal conversion testimony.

In his address before the Jewish king Agrippa II, Paul referenced his pre-Christian life as a persecutor of

the church. “In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name

of Jesus the Nazarene.” He did not describe for Agrippa these “many things,” but the Book of Acts

details some of the specifics. In Acts 7, Paul was first mentioned during the stoning of Stephen, where

he appeared to be a minor player in the anti-Christian movement as he guarded the robes of those

who were stoning Stephen (7:58). Later in Acts 8–9, Paul was an aggressive leader of the movement,

personally persecuting believers. When Paul thought it was his duty to do all he could against the name

of Christ, he did it with all his heart (see Galatians 1:13).

Verse 10: Paul detailed for Agrippa that he made it his duty to seek out and imprison the Christians who

were residing in Jerusalem. As a zealous and devout Jew, he saw Christians as heretics and blasphemers.

He “received authority for that from the chief priests.” The religious leaders (the Sanhedrin) gave Paul

full authority to persecute Christians.

Verse 11: Before his conversion, Paul was a very angry man, “greatly enraged at” followers of Christ.

He sought to expose Christians who were in the Jewish synagogues, seeking to have them punished

for their beliefs. But Paul went even further, attempting to make Christians blaspheme. In this context,

to blaspheme means to curse Christ and/or disown the Christian faith. So great was Paul’s passion to

destroy what he saw as an aberration within Judaism he “even pursued them to foreign cities.”



10 minutes

Notes

Acts 26:12-18

12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority

and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at

midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me

and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice

speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting

Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I said, ‘Who are You,

Lord?’ “And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. 16 But

get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to

appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and of what I

will reveal to you. 17 I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles.

I now send you to them 18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness

to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may

receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.’”


SUMMARIZE: In these verses, Paul described the unmistakable nature of his

encounter with Jesus.

] While traveling on a road to Damascus, he reported seeing a bright light, and

hearing a clear voice and a simple question—and all three had come from

Jesus.

] The Lord told Paul that when he was persecuting Christians, he was

persecuting Him.

] Next, the Lord gave Paul a mission: to be a witness to both Jews and Gentiles

of what He had done and what He would reveal to Paul.

] Paul’s purpose would be simple: to open the eyes of unbelievers so that they

may turn from a life of darkness to light, from death in sin to life in Christ.

DISCUSS: Question 3 on page 111 of the PSG: “What’s your first

impression of the mission Jesus gave to Saul?”

DISCUSS: Question 4 on page 112 of the PSG: “When have you ever

kicked against God’s direction in your life?”

TRANSITION: The next verses reveal Paul’s response to his encounter with Jesus.

ALTERNATE QUESTION: When did you first realize you needed Jesus?

STUDY THE BIBLE

14 0 S E S S I O N 6© 2015 LifeWay


Jesus calls even those who oppose Him to become His disciples. Verse 12: It was during one

of these journeys seeking out Christians in the city of Damascus that Paul encountered the risen Christ.

Paul began by describing how he was traveling on the road to the city of Damascus. With the authority

and a commission from the chief priests, he was going there “so that if he found any men or women

who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:2).

Verses 13-14: Paul saw “a light from heaven brighter than the sun” that shone around him and his

traveling companions. Overwhelmed by the experience, they all fell to the ground. Paul then heard a

voice speaking to him in his own language. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Although Paul

did not yet know it, this was the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to him. With His question, the Lord was

saying to Paul that when he was persecuting Christians, he was in fact persecuting Jesus Himself. Jesus

said after His question, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” This saying appears to have been a

common proverb among first-century Greeks and Romans. In Greek literature, the saying was used in

the contexts of someone fighting against his destiny or fighting against a god or gods.

Verse 15: Paul inquired of the voice speaking to him, “Who are You, Lord?” The word “lord,” while

being used as a title of Jesus Christ, could also be used an expression of respect, much like our term “sir.”

The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.” Paul identified the One responding to him

as “the Lord” (“the Lord replied”), identifying the One who was speaking with him as the glorified and

risen Savior, seated in heaven with all power and authority.

Verses 16-17: Christ commanded Paul, “But get up and stand on your feet.” In persecuting Christians,

Paul had been fighting against God’s purpose for his life. The reason the Lord had appeared to Paul was

to appoint him as a servant and witness. Jesus announced to Paul that He was sending him to both his

own people (the Jews) and the Gentiles. The Gentiles included all people who were not Jews. Jesus

promised to rescue Paul from both groups. This promise of protection did not mean that Paul would

not suffer, but rather that Paul would be divinely protected so that he would be able to complete the

tasks God had given to him.

Verse 18: Paul’s purpose in going to both Jews and Gentiles was “to open their eyes so they may turn

from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Unbelievers are blinded to spiritual truth by

Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Bible often uses the imagery of darkness and light to contrast two ways of

life—those who live in the darkness of their sin and those who live in the light of God, who are alive in

Christ (John 1). God would use the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul preached to overcome the blindness

of unbelievers, to bring people from darkness to light.



10 minutes

Notes

Acts 26:19-20

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem

and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent

and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.“


SUMMARIZE: Paul was radically transformed. The man who previously

opposed Jesus was now obeying Jesus. He became the most influential Christian

in the history of the faith. In fact, he wrote nearly half of the New Testament.

] Paul described himself to the Philippians this way: “circumcised the

eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born

of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting

the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless”

(Philippians 3:5-6). His Hebrew pedigree was second to none.

] Jesus sent Paul to the Gentiles so “that they should repent and turn

to God, and do works worthy of repentance” (v. 20). For the Jews, this

was the most scandalous element of Paul’s testimony. Not only did

Christianity’s greatest enemy become its greatest evangelist, but the

gospel compelled a Jew to reach out to Gentiles.

DO: Divide your members into subgroups of three or four people each. Within

each subgroup, direct members to complete the activity on page 112 of the PSG.

Before & After

] What goals and motivations defined your life before you encountered God?

] What goals and motivations define your life since you’ve encountered God?

DISCUSS: Question 5 on page 113 of the PSG: “How would you describe

the mission Jesus has given you?”

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Ahead of time, enlist a mature Christian group

member to share his or her testimony. Ask this person to share about the inner

and outward changes God has made in his or her life.

ALTERNATE QUESTION: In what ways are you different today than when you first met Jesus?

STUDY THE BIBLE



Surrender to the truth of Jesus leads to radical transformation. Verses 19-20: Paul described

to King Agrippa the new period in his life which resulted from his vision of the risen Lord. The first thing

he stressed was his obedience, though he couched it in negative form. “I was not disobedient to the

heavenly vision.” That Paul was not disobedient is meant simply to underline that he whole-heartedly

accepted the message of the gospel and committed himself to carrying out his calling from God to

preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul embraced both his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and

his commission to preach the gospel of salvation. Having received his instructions, Paul had applied

himself to acting in accordance with Jesus’ command. He described his progress, that he preached first

in Damascus (Acts 9:19-25), then Jerusalem (vv. 26-29), then throughout Judea, and finally he took the

gospel to the Gentiles (chs. 13–20).

Paul also described the message he preached, and in doing so he preached to King Agrippa and the rest

of his audience. “They should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.” Repentance

refers to a change of mind. It can also refer to the feelings of remorse or regret for actions committed

prior to the change of mind. In the case of the gospel of Jesus Christ, repentance involves agreeing with

God that failing to live in obedience to His commands and will is wrong (what we also call sin). However,

repentance involves more than just a turning away from sin. The individual who repents turns away from

sin and self and turns toward God. Christianity is not just negative. It is not just “do not sin” or “abandon

your current lifestyle.” Christianity is positive. It means finding love, forgiveness, righteousness, and a

new life in Christ. It is a life lived with God through the power and presence of His indwelling Spirit.

It is easy for people to say that they repent, but they must demonstrate their repentance is real by what

they do. Paul made this point, stating that those who repent and turn to God should “do works worthy

of repentance.” The good works we do don’t save us; we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone, but

they are evidence that our repentance and belief are real. That is the proof—when we begin to follow

after Jesus Christ and obey Him.

Previous Biblical Illustrator articles “Agrippa II” (Winter 2014-2015), “Saul the Persecutor: Paul the Persecuted” (Winter 2009-2010), “Damascus in Paul’s Day” (Summer 2008), “On the Road to Damascus” (Fall 1995), and “Saul in Damascus” (Spring 1993) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. Look for Bible Studies for Life.



5 minutes LIVE IT OUTSAY: ”In His unmatched power, God gives new life to those who follow Him.”

GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed

on page 114 of the PSG.

] Ask God to reveal any negative attitude that you may have

against any specific groups of people. Ask God to help you see each

person as He does.

] Memorize Acts 26:17b-18 as a reminder of God’s mission for His

people. Post this verse by your mirror or someplace you will see it often.

] Identify one person whom you know is opposed to faith in

Christ. Make it a priority to pray for this person daily, asking God to open

an opportunity for this person to come to faith in Christ. Be ready to share

your own story of redemption and how God has saved you.

ENHANCEMENT: Distribute Pack Item #10, Acts 26:17b-18 Memory Verse Cards

and encourage group members to commit this to memory.

Wrap It Up

SAY: “God calls us to make a major shift—and He’s done everything necessary to

make that happen. Jesus died for our our sins so that we can move from death in

sin to life in Christ. This week, walk boldly in the life Christ offers and be

ready to tell others about His power to transform.”

Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog

(lifeway.com/groupministry).

14 4 S E S S I O N 6© 2015 LifeWay

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