An encouraging word from Acts 26
Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). We teach the historical geography of the Bible as well as archaeology, customs and culture of the land. We aim to make connections between the Bible and the land in all that we do.
This is another session in the new series of teaching videos called “Devotions from Israel.” This brief five-minute devotional comes from Acts 26. The setting for this narrative from the Gospel of John is Caesarea.
About the Devotional
The Apostle Paul was a great first century missionary! He traveled many miles and endured many trials for the sake of the kingdom. His witness for Christ was bold. We especially appreciate Paul’s articulate testimony at a place called Caesarea. It was a coastal harbor-city built over a 12 year period (22-10 BC) by Herod the Great. The city was complete with a theater, palace, hippodrome and a Temple dedicated to
Caesar Augustus. The harbor was the largest in the region. Paul sailed in and out of this harbor several times.
Before his journey to Rome, Paul was imprisoned here in Caesarea for two years. Much earlier, Paul went through this city (Acts 9). He was acquainted with the Roman culture that flourished here.
But at the end of these two years of imprisonment following his third mission journey, Paul shared a bold testimony here, one that is recorded in Acts 26. As he stood in front of Festus and Agrippa (the great grandson of the builder of the city), he held nothing back about his faith in Christ. At the end of his sharing, this is what happened. We can picture this happening most likely in the
Praetorium/palace (or even perhaps in the theater?):
At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:24-29).
