Greetings and Blessings, health for the whole Steemians and steemchurch family.
My reflection is based today on the book of Acts chapter 26: 1-6, where the apostle Paul recounts his defense before King Agrippa.
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul: You are allowed to speak for yourself. Paul then, extending his hand, began his defense:
2 I consider myself blessed, O King Agrippa, to defend myself today before you from all the things of which I am accused by the Jews.
3 Mostly because you know all the customs and issues among the Jews; Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
Pablo's previous life
4 My life, then, from my youth, which from the beginning I spent in my nation, in Jerusalem, is known to all Jews;
5 who also know that from the beginning, if they want to testify to it, according to the most rigorous sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now, for the hope of God's promise to our parents, I am called to trial. Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR1960).
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As we all know the now apostle Paul was converted to Christ after having a rather violent life against Christians and after his conversion his life changed forever but Paul was criticized and persecuted by religious and Jews, these were the main priests and elders of the Jews asking for condemnation for him because now he only preached and lived for Jesus Christ.
Given all this situation it was necessary that Paul as a man of God defended himself before the king of all the things he was accused of. And it was certainly what Paul did but before beginning his defense he praised the king, for he clarified that it was for him a bliss to defend himself before him from all the things of which he was accused.
The apostle Paul made good use of the apologetic and not only defended the gospel but also hinted at his conversion by asking the king to hear him patiently.
Obviously, in his defense he testifies of his past life to show that he is known to all who accuse him, for he clarifies that he was a Pharisee, persecutor of the church, but now by the grace and mercy of God for the hope of the promise that God made his parents was called to trial, he understood that he could not continue living that way and now he lived to serve the true God.
That is the hope of all who have believed in Jesus Christ Serve him wisely and with a life totally given to his lord.
¡Paul's majestic defense against King Agrippa and his wife Bernice is inspired by the faith of Christ!
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And this hope was not only for him, but for all who waited on the promise.
And so it was that after King Agrippa heard him, he understood that there was no harm in him, for his story caught the king's attention to such an extent that he later said to him: Paul, you almost persuade me to be a Christian.
Paul not only wanted the king to understand and be freed from the slavery of the law, but he longed for everyone who heard the preaching of the gospel to be converted as he was.
We Christians are called to live diligently and testify of all that God has done with us so that we can all achieve God's wisdom and grace.
