Acts 26:12-32 Paul's Account of His Conversion and Commission

Paul's Account of His Conversion and Commission
Acts 26:12-32

When have you had to publicly appear before an important or powerful person and put your fate in his/her hands? 

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Acts 26:12-32 (ESV)

Paul Tells of His Conversion

12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,^a ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”^b 29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

Hashtags
#Paul (aka-Saul) (along with those who were with him on the journey)
#Jews ‑ the whole Jewish people
#Festus
#chief priests
#Agrippa the king
#Bernice
#Gentiles
#the prophets and Moses
#the saints
#Caesar

Places
#Jerusalem
#Damascus
#region of Judea

Topics
# Servant – vs. 16
#Mission and calling for Paul
#Salvation (Repentance)
#defense vs. 24
#believe
#persuade

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Compare 26:20 with 20:21. How could you tell someone what it means to be a Christian from these two verses? 
• How does faith in Jesus relate to a repentant change in lifestyle? Would you describe Paul's speech as a legal defense or a personal testimony? How are the two related? Do you think Paul's primary goal in this speech is to convince Agrippa of his innocence, or of the truth of Christianity's claims? Why? 
• From 25:19 and 26:24, how convinced is Festus regarding the resurrection of Jesus? How might Paul's response In verses 25-27 surprise Festus? 
• If you were in this hall, what impressions would you have of Paul as he concluded his speech? 
• Up to this point, the Romans considered Christians and Jews as basically one and the same. From this speech, can the Romans begin to see some differences?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• How does verse 18 fit as a description of your spiritual journey? Which other images describe what coming to faith was like for you? 
• In verse 14, Paul adds a comment not found in his conversion story in chapters 9 or 22. When has God pointed out to you that your struggle has been against him all along? How has he redirected you since then? 
• Paul considered himself a servant and a witness. In what way is God's call to you similar to or different from his call to Paul? 
• Paul's obedience to Jesus resulted in a trial very similar to Jesus' trial. How has your obedience to Jesus resulted in similarities to Jesus' experience?
• How has Christ brought light into your life? How can you pass on that light to someone else this week?
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

==============

Chris Stinnett

April 3, 2020 at 9:05 AM · True And Reasonable

About the year 621 BC Josiah, the young king of Judah, began a comprehensive renewal of religious practice under the Law of Moses. He ordered the purification and refurbishment of the Temple, including removal and destruction of all kinds of idolatrous gifts that earlier people had installed. This included statues of horses located near the room “of an official named Nathan-Melech” (2 Kings 23:11). Less than a generation later, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and burned the Temple and official buildings.

For years archaeologists have been digging in the City of David, on the east side of Jerusalem. Last October, they uncovered a small “signature stamp” from about 600 BC that reads, “of Nathan-Melech Servant of the King.” This little blue stone seal was found within the remains of a two-story administrative building that was destroyed by an intense fire. The writing, the pottery fragments nearby, and the level of destruction all point to the same time period recorded in 2 Kings. It seems reasonable to conclude that the seal served as the official “signature” of the same Nathan-Melech mentioned in the Bible. As the discoveries continue, it seems that the events of the Bible—astonishing though they may be—are true and founded solidly in demonstrated fact.

“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” (Acts 26:25-26 NIV).

As Paul explained himself to the Roman governor and to King Agrippa, he naturally mentioned Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This was such an “impossible” idea that Festus accused him of madness. Paul’s response pointed toward the facts that were widely known and reported. Since all the supporting information was available, it seemed clear that everything Paul said was true and reasonable—even if it were startling and contrary to all expectation. 

The Bible is a book that is rooted in genuine history. Real places, real people, real times and real events are recorded as God interacted with His people. Everywhere we can test the Bible, it is revealed to be true and accurate. That gives us immense confidence in the reliability of the Scriptures, just as we would trust any witness who was proven to be truthful and credible. People who slander the Bible as a collection of fanciful tales of wishful thinking have clearly never examined the facts. There has never been a book so thoroughly scrutinized by skeptics trying to find fault as the Bible has been. And no book, ancient or modern, has been so completely vindicated again and again by demonstrated fact. Even the resurrection of Jesus is found to be true and reasonable—and that undeniable fact demands our attention. If He is raised from the dead, He is the Son of God and actually has all authority in heaven and on earth. That’s not ignorant delusion; that’s true and reasonable, a fact we all must deal with.

=============

“SIGHT TO THE BLIND”

Lewis G. Hale

 

When Jesus visited his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, he stood up and read from the prophet Isaiah. He said the Spirit of the Lord had anointed him to preach to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, “and recovering of sight to the blind.” Luke 4:18-19.

                Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be blind? What a great blessing for a blind person to receive the gift of sight!

                When the blind man of Jericho heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” When Jesus asked, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?”, the blind man said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Jesus immediately healed him. He must have experienced unspeakable joy. Can you image a blind man who would refuse to accept the gift of sight? I seems to me that no person in his right mind would say, “I prefer to remain blind.”

                Yet, there is another kind of blindness that is even more serious - spiritual blindness. Our sin and ignorance of God is called blindness. When Christ called Saul to be an apostle, he said he would send him to the Gentiles “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light (from blindness to sight), and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” Acts 26:17-18. This the true sight which Christ came to give.

                In spite of the fact that Christ came to give us sight, many deliberately choose to remain blind. When the disciples of Jesus asked why he spoke in parables, he said it was because some did not want to hear nor see, so parables concealed the truth from them. He then quoted from Isaiah, “By hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time the should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them,” Matt. 13:14-15.

                This means they would have no forgiveness of sins and would have no inheritance. How sad. How unnecessary.

===========

ACTS 26:28

 

evn      ovli,gw me        pei,qeij                 Cristiano.n         poih/sai

In       little       me      you persuade     Christian          to make

 

 

KJV:	Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
RSV:	In a short time you think to make me a Christian.
NASB:	In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.
NIV:	Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?
ASV:	With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
LAMSA:	With little effort you almost persuade me to become a Christian.
LO:	You almost persuade me to be a Christian.
Spanish:	Por poco me persuades a ser criastiano.
HEB:	עוֹד מְַעַט וּפתּיתַנִִי לְְהְיוֹת נְצְִרִי
============

                                                               Acts 26:28

                                                            By Mark Moore

 

NIV:                Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?

Literal:             In a little you are persuading me to make a Christian

 

This is a difficult passage to interpret because of three questions which we may never be able to answer. First, does the word little refer to time, the number of words Paul spoke or some other factor? Second, what was Agrippa‘s tone? Was he serious or sarcastic. Third, is this a statement of fact or a question? The following paraphrases suggest a few possibilities.

 

Sarcasm:

Ø  What is this? Do you think that you can convert me in just 30 minutes?

Ø  What is this? Do you think that I‘m going to become a Christian on the basis of such meager evidence?

Ø  Come on Paul! You've hardly expended any effort on me. You‘ll have to do better than this if you want me to convert.

 

Serious:

Ø  Paul, you almost had me. With just a little more evidence I could accept what you are saying.

Ø  Paul, I‘m pretty close to becoming a Christian. If I let you keep talking a little longer I would probably convert.

Ø  Wow! You've drawn me in quickly. Is it possible that I would change my mind so soon?

Ø  You are an amazing man! With such little effort on your part, I've come so close to accepting your position. 

Life of Paul - Paul's Two-Year Time in Caesarea = July 17

Paul's Two-Year Time in Caesarea

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 58-60 A. D.

Scripture: 23:23--24:27

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Caesarea

Imprisonment In Caesarea

• Following his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was given an armed escort to Caesarea...
• In response to a plot by some Jews to kill him - Acts 23:12-24
• Accompanied by a letter from the Roman commander (Claudius Lysias) in Jerusalem, to the Roman governor Felix - Acts 23:25-33
• Paul begins a two-year imprisonment.
• Upon reading the letter, and learning that Paul was from Cilicia, Felix...
• Promised to grant Paul an audience when his accusers had come - Acts 23:34-35
• Commanded Paul to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium - Acts 23:35

[Thus begins the next phase of Paul’s life, in which he spent two years of imprisonment in Caesarea. It would prove to be a time of prophetic fulfillment (cf. Acts 9:15), for Paul would have the opportunity to preach Jesus to two Roman governors and a Jewish king...]

PAUL BEFORE FELIX 

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PAUL... 

• Made by Ananias the high priest, elders, and an orator named Tertullus - Acts 24:1 
• Tertullus’ speech 
• Opening statements, complimenting Felix - Acts 24:2-4 
• Charges against Paul - Acts 24:5-6 
• A plague 
• A creator of dissension among Jews throughout the world 
• A ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes 
• Tried to profane the temple - cf. Acts 21:27-29 
• They wanted to judge him by Jewish law, but Lysias prevented them - Acts 24:6-8 
• Closing statement, calling upon Felix to examine Paul himself - Acts 24:8 
• Supporting testimony by the Jews present - Acts 24:9 

PAUL’S DEFENSE... 

• Permitted to speak, Paul gladly responds - Acts 24:10 
• Paul’s defending arguments, part one - Acts 24:11-13 
• It has only been twelve days since Paul arrived in Jerusalem to worship 
• He had not disputed with anyone, nor incited crowds, either in the temple, synagogues, or in the city 
• His accusers cannot prove their charges against him (see part two) 
• Paul’s affirmation of his faith and hope - Acts 24:14-16 
• He worships God according to the Way they call a sect 
• He believes all things written in the Law and the Prophets 
• He has hope in God regarding the resurrection of the dead - cf. Acts 23:6 
• He always strove to have a good conscience before God and men - cf. Acts 23:1 
• Paul’s defending arguments, part two - Acts 24:17-21 
• He came to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings for his nation - cf. Romans 15:25-27 
• He was found purified in the temple by Jews from Asia, but neither with a multitude nor with tumult - cf. Acts 21:26-27 
• Those Jews from Asia should be the ones making accusations against him 
• The Jews from Jerusalem could find only one thing wrong with him: 
• His statement before the Sanhedrin council - cf. Acts 23:6-9 
• I.e., his belief in the resurrection of the dead, which divided the council 

FELIX’S PROCRASTINATION... 

• He suspends judgment until Lysias can come - Acts 24:22 
• Paul is allowed limited freedom, along with visitors - Acts 24:23 
• Paul before Felix and Drusilla - Acts 24:24-25 
• Drusilla, his wife who was Jewish 
• Youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and sister of Bernice - Acts 25:13 
• Married to King Azia of Emesa, who had agreed to be circumcised 
• Atomos, a magician from Cyprus, helped Felix win Drusilla away from her husband 
• Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come (because of their adulterous marriage?) 
• Felix, fearful, sends Paul away for a more convenient time 
• Felix, hoping Paul would pay for his release, talks with him often - Acts 24:26 

[After two years (58-60 A.D.), Felix is replaced by Porcius Festus. Wanting to please the Jews, Felix leaves Paul bound (Acts 24:27). This sets the stage for...] 

PAUL BEFORE FESTUS 

PAUL’S TRIAL ARRANGED... 

• Three days after arriving in Caesarea, Festus goes to Jerusalem - Acts 25:1 
• He is petitioned by the high priest and other chief men - Acts 25:2-3 
• To send Paul to Jerusalem 
• Whom they hope to kill on the way 
• Festus arranges for the trial at Caesarea - Acts 25:4-6 
• Determining that Paul should be kept there 
• Festus himself would be going there, which he does after ten days 
• Paul’s accusers were invited to come and present their charges 
• Paul is brought before Festus and the judgment seat 

THE TRIAL AND PAUL’S APPEAL... 

• The Jews from Jerusalem make charges they cannot prove - Acts 25:7 
• Paul denies any offense against the Law, the temple, or Caesar - Acts 25:8; cf. 21:28 
• Trying to please the Jews, Festus asks if Paul is willing to go to Jerusalem and be judged there - Acts 25:9 
• Paul appeals to Caesar, which Festus grants - Acts 25:10-12 

[As a Roman citizen, Paul exercised his right to appeal his case before Caesar. Before Festus sends Paul to Rome, the governor takes advantage of an opportunity to have Paul examined by one known for his understanding of Jewish law, King Agrippa II...] 

PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA 

FESTUS’ CONFERENCE WITH AGRIPPA... 

• King Agrippa II and Bernice visit Festus - Acts 25:13 
• Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who beheaded James - Acts 12:1-2,20-23 
• Bernice was sister to Drusilla, but also to Agrippa II 
• She was first married to a person named Marcus 
• She then married her uncle Herod, king of Chalis 
• Upon his death she married Polemon, king of Pontus and Cilicia, who had to agree to be circumcised 
• She soon left him and began an incestuous relationship with Agrippa II 
• She later became mistress to Titus, Caesar of Rome 
• Festus describes Paul’s case to Agrippa - Acts 25:14-21 
• Felix left Paul a prisoner 
• Jews from Jerusalem wanted a judgment against Paul 
• Roman law required that Paul face his accusers 
• In the trial, it became apparent that the questions involved Judaism and whether Jesus was alive 
• Paul appealed to Caesar rather than be judged in Jerusalem 
• Agrippa desires to hear Paul, to which Festus consents - Acts 25:22 

PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA... 

• Paul brought before Agrippa, Bernice, Festus, and prominent men of the city - Acts 25:23 
• Festus’ introductory remarks - Acts 25:24-27 
• Paul has been accused of being worthy of death 
• Festus had not found him worthy of death 
• Since Paul has appealed to Caesar, Festus will send him 
• But he has nothing sure to write Caesar, and solicits Agrippa’s examination 
• Paul’s defense - Acts 26:1-23 
• Paul’s introductory remarks, grateful to speak before Agrippa - Acts 26:1-3 
• Paul reviews his early life - Acts 26:4-11 
• His youth in Jerusalem, which all knew 
• His religious convictions as a Pharisee, to which they could attest 
• His hope in the resurrection of the dead, a promise all Jews should hope to attain 
• 4) His persecution against the name of Jesus and His disciples 
• Paul recounts his vision on the road to Damascus - Acts 26:12-18 
• The light from heaven, the voice of Jesus 
• The commission was given to Paul 
• To be a witness of what he has seen and heard 
• To turn Gentiles from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God 
• To offer them forgiveness, and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Jesus 
• Paul’s concluding remarks - Acts 26:19-23 
• He was not disobedient to the vision 
• He proclaimed repentance to those in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea, and then the Gentiles 
• For this, Jews seized him in the temple and sought to kill him 
• Yet with God’s help he simply testifies what Moses and the prophets said would happen 
• That Christ would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead 
• That He proclaim light to both Jews and Gentiles 
• Reaction to Paul’s defense - Acts 26:24-29 
• Festus believes Paul to be mad 
• Paul claims to speak words of truth and reason, of things Agrippa knows well 
• Paul challenges Agrippa 
• To believe the prophets 
• To become a Christian 
• Agrippa’s conclusion - Acts 26:30-32 
• The king, governor, Bernice, and others go aside to discuss the matter 
• They all conclude Paul has done nothing worthy of death 
• Agrippa tells Festus that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar 

CONCLUSION 

• After three trials and two years of imprisonment in Caesarea, Paul is headed for Rome... 
• As the Lord revealed in a vision - Acts 23:11 
• As Paul wanted to do for some time - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29 
• It may not have been as Paul anticipated, but circumstances gave him the opportunity... 
• To bear witnesses to two governors, a king, two immoral women, and many others 
• To eventually bear witness before the Caesar of Rome 

All this happened, in keeping with the will of God, and courtesy of the Roman government, with all expenses paid! 

As with Joseph in Egypt, Paul’s life is a wonderful illustration of God’s providence. Indeed, Paul could have easily said to his enemies what Joseph told his brothers: 

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20) 

May Paul’s life, along with Joseph’s, encourage us to trust in the wonderful providence of God! 

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Acts 22:1-21 Paul's Defense

Paul's Defense
Acts 22:1-21

Intro Questions

#God                                    #People    #Time         #Place        #Obedient faith            #Sin             #Key Idea

Acts 22:1-21

 

1“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understandc the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Hashtags
#Saul AKA Paul
#the Jews
#Gamaliel
#both men and women
#those who were with me
#Stephen

Places
#Tarsus of Cilicia
#this city
#Damascus
# Jerusalem

Topics
#conversion
#obedience

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

The Forensic Defense Speeches of Paul

(Acts 22:1-21; 26:1-23; cf. Malina & Neyrey, Paul, p. 91)

 

I.             Exordium (or Prooemium) (cf. Rh. Her. 1.4.6; Cicero, Inv. 1.15.20; Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 4.1.14). This prepares the hearers to be positively disposed and attentive to the defendant. The ―lawyer‖ should show that he is taking the case out of duty to family or honor or better out of a sense of patriotism (captatio benevolentiae). Good will can be derived from (Cicero, Orat. 2.43.182, 184, Loeb): 

A.          The person of the speaker – by speaking of our own deeds without arrogance, by prayers and petitions, by demonstrating hardships well endured. Name, Acts 21:38-39

1.            Nature -- Gender (Quintilian notes that males are more likely to commit robbery and females poisoning) & Ethnicity, Acts 22:3

2.            Manner of life, Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-5, 9-11

3.            Fortune, Acts 22:5; 26:9-12

4.            Habit, Acts 22:3

5.            Feeling, Acts 22:7-8, 11; 26:14-15

6.            Interest, Acts 22:3-4; 26:10-11, 19-20

7.            Purpose, Acts 22:15; 26:16-18

8.            Achievements, accidents, speech, Acts 22:6-11; 26:12-18

B.          The person of the opponent – by showing them to be mean, vicious, or cruel.

C.          The person of the judge – by flattering the hearers without being too obviously effusive.

D.          The case itself – if it is noble (for the group) rather than self-seeking.

II.           Statement of Facts (Narratio) (cf. Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 4.2.31). It is to prepare the mind of the judge (nst Orat. 4.2.4-5). It is comprised of:

A.          The main question at issue – What was done? Was it done rightly? (Acts 21:28; 24:5-8; contra 23:6, 29; 24:21; 25:18-19; 26:6-8)

B.          The line of defense

C.          The point for the judge‘s decision

D.          The foundation or basic argument for the defense (Inst. Orat. 3.11.6-7)

III. Proof (Probatio) 

A.          Eyewitness (e.g. Demosthenes, Against Eubulides 4; Philo, Spec. leg. 4.59;  Conf. 141). Paul served as an eyewitness to the resurrection, Acts 22:15; 26:16. This is considered ―irrefutable‖ evidence (tekmerion), (cf. Acts 1:3; 10:41 cf. Lk 24:37-43)

B.          Evidence from probability, examples, tokens, signs and maxims (Rh. Al.  36, 1442b; 391443a, 6). These can be used in conjunction with other facts to build a strong case. 

1.            Sign: The great light (Acts 22:6, 9; 26:13); abd Paul‘s blindness and healing (Acts 9:7-9, 17; 22:11,13) 

2.            Corroborating witnesses (Acts 22:9, 12; 26:13-14).

3.            General experience (Aristotle, Rh. Al. 7, 1428a; see Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 5.10.16-19).

C.          Witnesses and confessions that are obtained by torture (Aristotle, Rh. Al. 36, 1442b; 37). (cf. Acts 22:24). This was considered the strongest evidence.

D.          Evidence from the person‘s nature and character.

IV. Refutation and Peroration

A.          The refutation is the countering of the arguments of the opposition, generally involving some sort of attach on the opponent’s character, person, or social standing (Acts 4:13).

B.          The peroration is an attempt to elicit certain emotions from the audience/judge in order to secure a verdict in one‘s favor.