Thoughts on the book of Acts (187) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:19-23

Thoughts on the book of Acts (187)
For several reasons, the Jews were offended by the message that Paul preached. They would accept that heathens had to repent, see themselves in God's light, acknowledge His verdict over their lives and turn to Him for salvation. But that they themselves, in their piety, should be told to repent and that the blessings of the gospel should be available to heathen believers - that was going too far for them.
As Paul explained, all depended on one question: is Jesus the Messiah and was He truly resurrected? Paul's encounter with the risen One convinced him of the facts. He knew that his preaching corresponded fully to the Jews' holy scriptures, the Old Testament (e.g. Isaiah 53; Psalm 16:10). The fact that God's salvation was valid for the nations of the world had even been announced in them (e.g. Isaiah 49:8).
(to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 13