The ABC's of Sharing Your Faith
Acts 25-26
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Acts 25:23a NIV
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city.
Acts 25:23b NIV
At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
Acts 25:24a NIV
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man!”
Acts 25:24b-26 NIV
The whole community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.
A: Assume people are interested
Acts 26:1-3 NIV
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies.
B: Build a bridge to your audience
Acts 26:9-11 NIV
"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
C: Conversion, tell them about your conversion to Christ
Acts 26:12-16 NIV
"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ' Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.
Acts 26:17-18 NIV
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
D: Difference–tell them the difference that Christ has made in your life
Acts 26:19 NIV
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
Acts 26:22a NIV
I have had God’s help to this very day...
E: Extend an invitation
Acts 26:24 NIV
At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
Acts 26:25-26
"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 26:27 NIV
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.
Acts 26:28 NIV
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?
