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THE BOOK OF ACTS … PAUL’S FIVE APOLOGIES!

February 28, 2020 by Dr. Mike Bagwell

In the world of “theology,” particularly its branch called “Bible Study,” the word “apology” does NOT mean vocalizing these words: “I’m sorry!”

It is rather defined as: “Words that are spoken or written to defend something that other people criticize.” It’s Greek in origin! Where “apo” means “from,” as from my heart, from my mind, from my heart and soul! And “logos” clearly means “words, speech, saying.”

Philippians 1:7 gives us a perfect example: “Even as it is meet for me (Paul) to think this of you all (the Christians at Philippi), because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the DEFENCE (apologia) and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

Thus, Paul’s five “apologies” (the title of today’s Lesson), are the five upcoming speeches (sermons) or orations he gives defending his beliefs in Jesus! (We have godly men yet today who have given their lives and ministries to defending the Word of God against the onslaughts of evolution, textual criticism, sexual perversion, humanism and secularism and materialism! And a whole lot more!)

Let me now enumerate Paul’s speeches. I think our Hero (the Apostle) would have better served our Lord out preaching the Gospel and establishing Churches … among the gentiles … as God had called him to do! (Romans 11:13 … “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Then also in 2 Timothy 1:11 Paul again acknowledges … “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”)

Count them with me …

In Acts 22 Paul speaks to a crowd (nearly a mob) of Jews, in the presence of a garrison of Roman soldiers … defending the faith! He preaches Christ Jesus to the (representatively speaking) Nation of Israel. To the “common people.” Read Acts 22:1 … “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.” (The Text, the chapter, for tomorrow’s Lesson, the Lord willing; Acts 22, that sermon.)

Then in Acts 23 Paul speaks (again explaining and defending the Gospel bolstering it) to the Jewish Sanhedrin (70 men who ruled the nation religiously)! Their “supreme court,” in essence!

In Acts 24 Paul preaches (defends our Bible-taught faith) before Felix, the Roman Governor of that day. “Most noble Felix,” so called in Acts 24:3, King James Version.

Next in Acts 25 Paul witnesses (expounds and defends) the Faith before the Governor named Festus! Acts 25:7-8 … “And when he (Festus) was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While Paul ANSWERED (the verb form of ‘apologia’) for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” Whereupon Paul then preaches Jesus!

Finally in Acts 26 Paul’s we hear final “defense” (“apology”) in this series, prior to his being forced (as a prisoner) to take ship and sail to Rome, “under arrest.” He speaks to Agrippa, King Agrippa! Acts 26:1 … “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.” What a sermon follows!

Five (one each in chapters 22-26) majestic “Defenses” of the faith, classical spiritual “Apologies” for Jesus and the Gospel!

Then, in closing today, watch this! It’s interesting, I think …

Each speech/sermon/defense/apology (now that we know the real New Testament meaning of that word) … reaches a group or person of greater rank, or higher authority, of increasing influence … in the cultural world of Paul’s day!

From the common people (chapter 22) to the autocratic Jewish Sanhedrin (chapter 23) to two prominent governors (chapters 24 and 25, Felix and Agrippa), then finally to most powerful KING AGRIPPA (chapter 26)!

Wow!

God here is taking a dismal situation (Paul needlessly a prisoner) … and turning it into (at least) an opportunity to keep the Gospel from being mocked, minimalized, marginalized, ignored!

Paul, the apologist!

Paul the defender of what we believe yet today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh yes, in 1 Peter 3:15 that Apostle teaches us: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always TO GIVE AN ANSWER to every man that asketh you a REASON of the hope that is in you.” Where the expression “to give an answer” is the Greek word “apologia!”

Amazing!

Looks like we are ALL to be apologists for what we believe, for Jesus Christ our Lord!

.

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