The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
July 8
Acts 26:1-32
Commentary by Nick Boork
July 8
Acts 26:1-32
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July 8 ~ Acts 26:1-32
Paul’s Early Life 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “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, 3 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. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 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. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 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. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
What does it mean when Jesus told Paul that it’s hard for you to kick against the goads or pricks?
Goads or pricks as they are described in the King James version are the sharp points of a metal rod used to prod cattle to move along. When Jesus told Saul it’s hard for you to kick against the pricks he was saying Saul you’re wrong about who I am and it seems like the only way I’m going to get your attention is by causing you some pain to move you in the direction of my will. This is my personal opinion of what Jesus was trying to communicate by that saying.
You see, Paul was persecuting Christians and he thought he was right. He actually thought that he was doing the will of God for his life. However, he was moving in the opposite direction of the purpose of God. The Lord showed up in Paul’s life in a dramatic way. The power of God was so strong when Jesus reveals himself that it knocked Paul from the horse he was riding and everybody with him. Paul heard the voice of Jesus saying it’s hard for you to kick against the goads. Well, the Lord got Saul’s attention and it was revealed to him that God had another direction for him to go. This experience with the glory of God caused Saul, (who later changed his name to Paul) to be blinded and someone had to guide him by the hand into the city of Damascus.
This was the beginning point of Paul’s obedience to the will of God for his life. He chose to get up and follow the instructions given him by Jesus Christ. After three days Ananias heard God’s voice and found Paul. He prayed for him and was healed of this temporary blindness and filled with the Holy Spirit. You know, the Lord doesn’t seem to give us more directions until we pay attention to the first set of directions he gives us. This is what happened with Paul. God has a way to get our attention when are going in the wrong direction.
Remember the Prophet Jonah? He tried to run away from the call of God to preach. How did that work out for him? We all know the story. He ended up causing all kinds of trouble for those around him as a storm rose up that almost destroyed the ship he was one and all the sailors with him. Jonah ended up being cast overboard and God prepared giant fish to swallow him. Needless to say, God got Jonah’s attention! Jonah was kicking against the goads, refusing to go to preach to the city of Nineveh the message God gave him. After Jonah repented, the fish brought him to his destination and barfed him out onto the beach. Covered with seaweed, and smelling putrid he decided to stop kicking against the goads, obey God and preach repentance to Nineveh.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) When we resist the will of God the Lord may use some goads, pricks and painful experiences to get our attention.
2) It’s always better to obey God the first time He reveals his will for our lives.
3) If we continue in rebellion the Lord will warn us but ultimately we have to make a decision about serving God.
4) I have been in the will of God and out of the will of God and I have to tell you, it’s better to not resist what God is trying to do but yield and obey the Lord with all my heart. Then the Lord really blesses me.
5) How about you? Are you kicking against the goads or pricks of the plan and purpose of God in your life or are you going in the direction that the Lord has revealed for you and your ministry? It’s better to do the will of God.
Paul’s Early Life 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “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, 3 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. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 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. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 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. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
What does it mean when Jesus told Paul that it’s hard for you to kick against the goads or pricks?
Goads or pricks as they are described in the King James version are the sharp points of a metal rod used to prod cattle to move along. When Jesus told Saul it’s hard for you to kick against the pricks he was saying Saul you’re wrong about who I am and it seems like the only way I’m going to get your attention is by causing you some pain to move you in the direction of my will. This is my personal opinion of what Jesus was trying to communicate by that saying.
You see, Paul was persecuting Christians and he thought he was right. He actually thought that he was doing the will of God for his life. However, he was moving in the opposite direction of the purpose of God. The Lord showed up in Paul’s life in a dramatic way. The power of God was so strong when Jesus reveals himself that it knocked Paul from the horse he was riding and everybody with him. Paul heard the voice of Jesus saying it’s hard for you to kick against the goads. Well, the Lord got Saul’s attention and it was revealed to him that God had another direction for him to go. This experience with the glory of God caused Saul, (who later changed his name to Paul) to be blinded and someone had to guide him by the hand into the city of Damascus.
This was the beginning point of Paul’s obedience to the will of God for his life. He chose to get up and follow the instructions given him by Jesus Christ. After three days Ananias heard God’s voice and found Paul. He prayed for him and was healed of this temporary blindness and filled with the Holy Spirit. You know, the Lord doesn’t seem to give us more directions until we pay attention to the first set of directions he gives us. This is what happened with Paul. God has a way to get our attention when are going in the wrong direction.
Remember the Prophet Jonah? He tried to run away from the call of God to preach. How did that work out for him? We all know the story. He ended up causing all kinds of trouble for those around him as a storm rose up that almost destroyed the ship he was one and all the sailors with him. Jonah ended up being cast overboard and God prepared giant fish to swallow him. Needless to say, God got Jonah’s attention! Jonah was kicking against the goads, refusing to go to preach to the city of Nineveh the message God gave him. After Jonah repented, the fish brought him to his destination and barfed him out onto the beach. Covered with seaweed, and smelling putrid he decided to stop kicking against the goads, obey God and preach repentance to Nineveh.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) When we resist the will of God the Lord may use some goads, pricks and painful experiences to get our attention.
2) It’s always better to obey God the first time He reveals his will for our lives.
3) If we continue in rebellion the Lord will warn us but ultimately we have to make a decision about serving God.
4) I have been in the will of God and out of the will of God and I have to tell you, it’s better to not resist what God is trying to do but yield and obey the Lord with all my heart. Then the Lord really blesses me.
5) How about you? Are you kicking against the goads or pricks of the plan and purpose of God in your life or are you going in the direction that the Lord has revealed for you and your ministry? It’s better to do the will of God.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
