Our Christian Life and Ministry. April 21 through April 27 [Press play below to hear the Meeting Workbook]
[Press play below to hear Proverbs 10]
[Click to read Bible chapter]|[Proverbs 10] Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes his father rejoice, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2 The treasures gained by wickedness will be of no benefit, But righteousness is what rescues from death. 3 Jehovah will not cause the righteous one to go hungry, But he will deny the wicked what they crave. 4 Idle hands will cause poverty, But diligent hands bring riches. 5 The son acting with insight gathers the crop in summer, But the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest. 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous one, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7 The memory of the righteous one is due for a blessing, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wisehearted person will accept instructions, But the one speaking foolishly will be trodden down. 9 The one walking in integrity will walk in security, But the one making his ways crooked will be found out. 10 The one who slyly winks his eye causes grief, And the one who speaks foolishly will be trodden down. 11 The mouth of the righteous one is a source of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred is what stirs up contentions, But love covers over all transgressions. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning person, But the rod is for the back of one lacking good sense. 14 Those who are wise treasure up knowledge, But the mouth of the fool invites ruin. 15 The wealth of a rich man is his fortified city. The ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16 The activity of the righteous one leads to life; But the produce of the wicked one leads to sin. 17 The one who heeds discipline is a path to life, But the one who ignores reproof leads others astray. 18 The one who conceals his hatred speaks lies, And the one spreading malicious reports is stupid. 19 When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided, But whoever controls his lips acts discreetly. 20 The tongue of the righteous one is like the finest silver, But the heart of the wicked one is worth little. 21 The lips of the righteous one nourish many, But the foolish die for lack of sense 22 It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. 23 Engaging in shameful conduct is like a game to the stupid one, But wisdom is for the man of discernment. 24 What the wicked one fears will come upon him; But the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the storm passes by, the wicked one will be no more, But the righteous one is a foundation forever. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So the lazy person is to the one who sends him. 27 The fear of Jehovah prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be cut short. 28 The expectation of the righteous brings joy, But the hope of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold for the blameless one, But it means ruin for evildoers. 30 The righteous one will never be made to fall, But the wicked will no longer inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteous one produces wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous one know what is pleasing, But the mouth of the wicked is perverse. [End of Bible chapter] [Click to close]
Song 76 How Does It Make You Feel? Based on Hebrews 13.15
1. How does it make you feel
when you preach and teach with zeal,
When you know you’ve done your part
to reach an honest heart?
Knowing you’ve done your best;
then our God will do the rest.
Honest hearts he surely knows
all those to him disposed.
It makes us glad, and we rejoice
to give our heart and mind and voice.
So may our sacrifice of praise
continue all our days.
2. How does it make you feel
when the words you speak appeal
To the ones whose heart is right
for everlasting life?
Some people turn away,
others might be led astray.
Still we’re glad to bear his name
and witness just the same.
It makes us glad, and we rejoice
to give our heart and mind and voice.
So may our sacrifice of praise
continue all our days.
3. How does it make you feel,
knowing God’s support is real,
And that he’s entrusted you
to do the work we do?
Proudly we preach and teach,
using bold but gracious speech,
Searching out deserving ones;
this work will soon be done.
It makes us glad, and we rejoice
to give our heart and mind and voice.
So may our sacrifice of praise
continue all our days.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Treasures From God’s Word 1. What Makes for a Truly Rich Life? (10 minutes)
A rich life includes having “diligent hands” in the spiritual harvest
[Inserted scripture] Proverbs 10.4 and 5: Idle hands will cause poverty, But diligent hands bring riches. 5 The son acting with insight gathers the crop in summer, But the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2001 July 15th page 25 paragraphs 1 through 3] The righteous one is blessed in yet another way. “The one working with a slack hand will be of little means, but the hand of the diligent one is what will make one rich. The son acting with insight is gathering during the summertime; the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest.” (Proverbs 10.4 and 5).
2. Particularly meaningful are the king’s words to workers during the harvest. The harvest season is not a time for slumber. It is a time for diligence and long hours. Indeed, it is a time of urgency.
3. Having in mind the harvest, not of grain, but of people, Jesus told his disciples: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest [Jehovah God] to send out workers into his harvest.”
[Quotation] Matthew 9.35 through 38: And Jesus set out on a tour of all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. 36 On seeing the crowds, he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” [End Quotation]
In the year 2000, over 14 million attended the Memorial of Jesus’ death, more than twice the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Who, then, can deny that ‘the fields are white for harvesting’?
[Quotation] John 4.35: Do you not say that there are yet four months before the harvest comes? Look! I say to you: Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting. Already [End Quotation]
True worshipers ask the Master for more workers while exerting themselves vigorously in the disciple-making work in harmony with their prayers.
[Quotation] Matthew 28.19 and 20: Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” [End Quotation]
And how richly Jehovah has blessed their efforts! During the 2000 service year, over 280,000 new ones were baptized. These also endeavor to become teachers of God’s Word. May we experience joy and satisfaction in this harvest season by having a full share in the disciple-making work. [End of reference material]
Righteousness is more valuable than material riches
[Inserted scripture] Proverbs 10.15 and 16: The wealth of a rich man is his fortified city. The ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16 The activity of the righteous one leads to life; But the produce of the wicked one leads to sin. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2001 September 15th page 24 paragraphs 3 and 4] Solomon points to the importance of righteousness. He says: “The valuable things of a rich man are his strong town. The ruin of the lowly ones is their poverty. The activity of the righteous one results in life; the produce of the wicked one results in sin.” (Proverbs 10.15 and 16)
4. Riches can serve as a protection against some uncertainties in life, just as a fortified town provides a degree of security to those who reside in it. And poverty can be ruinous when there are unexpected developments.
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 7.12: For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner. [End Quotation]
However, the wise king could also be hinting at a danger involving both wealth and poverty. A rich man may be inclined to put his complete trust in his wealth, imagining that his valuable things are “like a protective wall.”
[Quotation] Proverbs 18.11: The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; It is like a protective wall in his imagination. [End Quotation]
And a poor person may mistakenly take the view that his poverty makes his future hopeless. Thus, both fail to make a good name with God. [End of reference material]
A truly rich life results from Jehovah’s blessing
[Inserted scripture] Proverbs 10.22: It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Insight volume 1 page 340] Jehovah Blessing Humans. “The blessing of Jehovah, that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” (Proverbs 10.22) Jehovah blesses those whom he approves by protecting, prospering, guiding, giving success, and supplying their needs, with a beneficial outcome for them. [End of reference material]
[Image Alt:] Two sisters hugging each other at a convention.
2. Spiritual Gems (10 minutes)
Proverbs 10.22 Jehovah’s blessings are without pain, so why do God’s servants experience many trials?
[Inserted scripture] Proverbs 10.22: It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2006 May 15th page 30 paragraph 18]
“The blessing of Jehovah”, that is what has given spiritual prosperity to his people. And we are assured that “he adds no pain with it.” (Proverbs 10.22) Why, then, do tests and trials befall many of God’s loyal ones, causing them much pain and suffering? Difficulties and distress come our way for three main reasons. (1) Our own sinful inclination.
[Quotation] Genesis 6.5: Consequently, Jehovah saw that man’s wickedness was great on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Genesis 8.21: And Jehovah began to smell a pleasing aroma. So Jehovah said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground on man’s account, for the inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up; and never again will I strike down every living thing as I have done. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] James 1.14 and 15: But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death. [End Quotation]
(2) Satan and his demons.
[Quotation] Ephesians 6.11 aand 12: Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; 12 because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. [End Quotation]
(3) The wicked world.
[Quotation] John 15.19: If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. [End Quotation]
While Jehovah permits bad things to happen to us, he is not the originator of them. In fact, “every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the celestial lights.”
[Quotation] James 1.17: Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows. [End Quotation]
Jehovah’s blessings are without pain. [End of reference material]
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading (4 minutes) Proverbs 10.1 through 19 (Apply yourself to reading and teaching study 10) [Press play below to hear the Bible reading]
Proverbs 10.1 through 19 Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes his father rejoice, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. The treasures gained by wickedness will be of no benefit, But righteousness is what rescues from death. Jehovah will not cause the righteous one to go hungry, But he will deny the wicked what they crave. Idle hands will cause poverty, But diligent hands bring riches. The son acting with insight gathers the crop in summer, But the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest. Blessings are on the head of the righteous one, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous one is due for a blessing, But the name of the wicked will rot. The wisehearted person will accept instructions, But the one speaking foolishly will be trodden down. The one walking in integrity will walk in security, But the one making his ways crooked will be found out. The one who slyly winks his eye causes grief, And the one who speaks foolishly will be trodden down. The mouth of the righteous one is a source of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred is what stirs up contentions, But love covers over all transgressions. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning person, But the rod is for the back of one lacking good sense. Those who are wise treasure up knowledge, But the mouth of the fool invites ruin. The wealth of a rich man is his fortified city. The ruin of the poor is their poverty. The activity of the righteous one leads to life; But the produce of the wicked one leads to sin. The one who heeds discipline is a path to life, But the one who ignores reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals his hatred speaks lies, And the one spreading malicious reports is stupid. When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided, But whoever controls his lips acts discreetly. The tongue of the righteous one is like the finest silver, But the heart of the wicked one is worth little. [End of scripture]
[Reference Material] Apply yourself to reading and teaching. Study 10. Modulation.
[Quotation] Proverbs 8.4: “To you, O people, I am calling; I raise my voice to everyone. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 8.7: For my mouth softly utters truth, And my lips detest what is wicked. [End Quotation]
Summary: Convey ideas clearly and stir emotion by varying your volume, pitch, and pace.
[Press play below for Video: Study 10. Modulation. (4:59)]
[Click for Transcript]|[Study 10 Modulation]
(Text: Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching. 10 Modulation. Proverbs 8.4 and 7. Summary: Convey ideas clearly and stir emotion by varying your volume, pitch and pace)
Presenter: The human voice is a marvellous instrument, capable of great variety.
(Text: How to do it: Vary your volume, pitch, and pace in order to convey ideas and stir emotion)
When we vary our volume, pitch, and pace so as to convey ideas clearly and stir emotion, we’re using modulation. Why is modulation important when speaking? For the same reason it’s important
when playing a musical instrument.
(Right hand plays the same note on a piano)
How would music sound without modulation? It’s not very appealing, is it? Now let’s vary the volume.
(Right hand plays the same note on a piano hard and soft)
Let’s also add changes in pace.
(Right hand plays the same note on a piano fast and slow)
Finally, let’s add variations in pitch.
(Both hands play music on the piano)
When the musician varied the volume, pace, and pitch, the result was something pleasurable to listen to. To illustrate the importance of doing this when we speak, let’s listen as a speaker presents fine information but with little modulation.
(A brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience)
Brother: After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites are on the verge of a momentous change. They’re about to take possession of the Promised Land. Tents will be replaced by houses. Manna will be replaced by meat and vegetables. At last, they will be able to worship Jehovah as a free and spiritually clean people. Still, challenges awaited them. What would Moses say shortly before his death to encourage and prepare them? Let’s find out by reading Deuteronomy 31.7 and 8.
Presenter: We stopped the speaker before he read the scripture and finished making the point because he was difficult to listen to. Let’s watch him try again, but this time, he varies his volume, pitch, and pace.
(Left side: The brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience. Right side Text: Vary your volume; Vary your pitch; Vary your pace)
Brother: After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites are on the verge of a momentous change. They’re about to take possession of the Promised Land. Tents will be replaced by houses. Manna will be replaced by meat and vegetables. At last, they’ll be able to worship Jehovah as a free and spiritually clean people. Still, challenges awaited them. But what would Moses say shortly before his death to encourage and prepare them? Let’s find out by reading Deuteronomy 31.7 and 8: Moses then called Joshua and said to him before the eyes of all Israel: ‘Be courageous and strong, for you are the one who will bring this people into the land that Jehovah swore to their forefathers to give to them, and you will give it to them as an inheritance. Jehovah is the one marching before you, and he will continue with you. He will neither desert you nor abandon you. Do not be afraid or be terrified.’
Presenter: It was much better, wasn’t it? Did you notice how the speaker-built anticipation for the scripture by lowering his volume as he asked: What would Moses say shortly before his death to encourage and prepare them? Then he increased his volume when reading Moses’ exhortation. If we strive to read and speak with modulation, we’ll convey the ideas more clearly and stir the emotion of our listeners.
(Text: Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching. 10. Modulation. Proverbs 8.4 and 7)
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2019 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
How to Do It: Vary your volume. Increase your volume to highlight main points and to motivate your listeners. Do the same when reading Scriptural judgments. Decrease your volume to build anticipation or to convey fear or anxiety.
Tip: Do not increase your volume so often that your listeners feel scolded. Avoid drawing attention to yourself by being overly dramatic.
Vary your pitch. If appropriate in your language, raise your pitch to express enthusiasm or to indicate size or distance. Lower your pitch to express sorrow or anxiety.
Vary your pace. Speak more rapidly to convey excitement. Speak more slowly when stating important points.
Tip: To avoid startling your listeners, do not change pace abruptly. Do not speak so rapidly that your diction suffers. [End of Reference Material]
Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry 4. Starting a Conversation (4 minutes)
House to House. The person tells you that he is an atheist. (Love People Make Disciples lesson 4 point 3)
[Reference Material Love People Make Disciples lesson Humility] Imitate Paul. Do not be condescending. Avoid giving the impression that you know everything and that the other person knows nothing. Speak with him in a respectful way. [End of Reference material]
5. Starting a Conversation (4 minutes)
Informal Witnessing. Offer a Bible study. (Love People Make Disciples lesson 4 point 4)
[Reference Material Love People Make Disciples lesson Humility] Imitate Paul. Make clear that the Bible is the source of the truths you share. God’s Word contains thoughts that touch people’s hearts. When we use it, we are building their faith on the right foundation. [End of Reference material]
6. Following Up (4 minutes)
Informal Witnessing. Show the person how to find information that may interest him on jw.org. (Love People Make Disciples lesson 9 point 4)
[Reference Material Love People Make Disciples lesson Empathy] Imitate Jesus. Think about the interested person. Based on your conversations with him, ask yourself: a. ‘Why does he need to hear the truth?’ b. ‘How would studying the Bible make his daily life and his future better?’ [End of Reference material]
Living as Christians Song 111 Our Reasons for Joy. Based on Matthew 5.12
1. Our reasons for joy are abundant,
Like riches increasing in worth.
Those precious to God from all nations
Are joining us in all the earth.
The joy in our heart is well-founded,
With roots reaching deep in God’s Word.
We daily partake of its teachings;
Faith follows the things we have heard.
Our causes for joy are deep-seated,
Like embers that burn in our hearts.
Though troubles and trials beset us,
Endurance Jehovah imparts.
Jehovah our God is our joy,
The work of his hands our delight.
How deep are his thoughts, how great are his works,
Abounding in goodness and might!
2 We gladly behold his productions,
The heavens, the sea, and the land.
We gaze at the book of creation,
Applauding the work of his hands.
Triumphantly we now bear witness,
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
The news of its birth and its blessings,
We joyously spread all abroad.
Eternal rejoicing approaches,
Like daylight that follows the night.
The promised new earth and new heavens
Will bring everlasting delight.
Jehovah our God is our joy,
The work of his hands our delight.
How deep are his thoughts, how great are his works,
Abounding in goodness and might!
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
7. What Blessings Make God’s Servants Rich? (7 minutes) Discussion.
The blessings that Jehovah showers on his servants during these difficult last days help us to cope and even enrich our life.
[Quotation] Psalm 4.3: Know that Jehovah will treat his loyal one in a special way; Jehovah will hear when I call to him. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 10.22: It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. [End Quotation]
Read the following scriptures. Then ask the audience how the blessing makes us rich.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 65.13: Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Look! My servants will eat, but you will go hungry. Look! My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty. Look! My servants will rejoice, but you will suffer shame. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Luke 11.13: Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!” [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] John 13.35: By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” [End of Read scripture]
Some have been able to expand their ministry and increase their spiritual riches. Play the video Young People. Choose a Path That Leads to Peace! Then ask the audience: What did you learn from the experiences of Harley, Anjil, and Carlee?
[Press play below for Video: Young People. Choose a Path That Leads to Peace! (3:11)]
8. 2025 Update on the Local Design / Construction Program (8 minutes)
Talk. Play the video.
[Press play below for Video: 2025 Update on the Local Design / Construction Program (?:??)]
9. Congregation Bible Study (30 minutes)
“Bearing Thorough Witness” About God’s Kingdom, chapter 25 paragraphs 8 through 13, box “King Herod Agrippa 2” [Press play below for the audio of the Congregation Bible Study]
“I Did Not Become Disobedient” (Acts 25.13 through 26.23)
[Click to read scripture]|[Acts 25.13 through 26.23] After some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived in Caesarea for a courtesy visit to Festus. 14 Since they were spending a number of days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying: “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought information about him, asking for a judgment of condemnation against him. 16 But I replied to them that it is not Roman procedure to hand any man over as a favor before the accused man meets his accusers face-to-face and gets a chance to speak in his defense concerning the complaint. 17 So when they arrived here, I did not delay, but the next day I sat down on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 Taking the stand, the accusers did not charge him with any of the wicked things I had expected concerning him. 19 They simply had certain disputes with him concerning their own worship of the deity and concerning a man named Jesus, who was dead but who Paul kept asserting was alive. 20 Being at a loss as to how to handle this dispute, I asked if he would like to go to Jerusalem and be judged there concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody for the decision by the August One, I commanded him to be held until I should send him on to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa then said to Festus: “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you will hear him.” 23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with much pompous show and entered the audience chamber together with military commanders as well as the prominent men in the city; and when Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all you who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish populace have petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I perceived that he had done nothing deserving of death. So when this man himself appealed to the August One, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing certain to write about him to my Lord. So I brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the judicial examination has taken place, I might have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner and not also to indicate the charges against him.” Chapter 26 Agrippa said to Paul: “You are permitted to speak in your own behalf.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to say in his defense: 2 “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself happy that it is before you I am to make my defense this day, 3 especially because you are an expert on all the customs as well as the controversies among the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 “Indeed, the manner of life I led from youth up among my people and in Jerusalem is well-known by all the Jews 5 who were previously acquainted with me, if they would be willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our form of worship, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 But now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to our forefathers, I stand on trial; 7 this is the same promise our 12 tribes are hoping to see fulfilled by intensely rendering him sacred service night and day. Concerning this hope I am accused by Jews, O King. 8 “Why is it considered unbelievable among you that God raises up the dead? 9 I, for one, was convinced that I should commit many acts of opposition against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 This is exactly what I did in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the holy ones in prisons, for I had received authority from the chief priests; and when they were to be executed, I cast my vote against them. 11 By punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to recant; and since I was extremely furious with them, I went so far as to persecute them even in outlying cities. 12 “While doing this as I was traveling to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, 13 I saw at midday on the road, O King, a light beyond the brilliance of the sun flash from heaven around me and around those traveling with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice say to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.’ 15 But I said: ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said: ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet. This is why I have appeared to you, to choose you as a servant and a witness both of things you have seen and things I will make you see respecting me. 17 And I will rescue you from this people and from the nations, to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by their faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but to those in Damascus first and then to those in Jerusalem, and over all the country of Judea, and also to the nations, I was bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance. 21 This is why the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 However, because I have experienced the help that is from God, I continue to this day bearing witness to both small and great, saying nothing except what the Prophets as well as Moses stated was going to take place 23 that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first to be resurrected from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to this people and to the nations.” [End of scripture] [Click to close]
Question 8 and 9. Why did King Agrippa visit Caesarea?
8. Some days after Festus heard Paul’s appeal to Caesar, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice paid “a courtesy visit” to the new governor.* [Footnote] See the box “King Herod Agrippa II.” In braille, after paragraph 9. [End of footnote] In Roman times, it was customary for officials to make such visits to newly appointed governors. By congratulating Festus on his appointment, Agrippa was undoubtedly trying to cement political and personal ties that could be useful in the future.
[Quotation] Acts 25.13: After some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived in Caesarea for a courtesy visit to Festus. [End Quotation]
9. Festus told the king about Paul, and Agrippa was intrigued. The next day, the two rulers sat down on the judgment seat. But their power and pomp were by no means more impressive than the words that the prisoner before them was about to speak.
[Quotation] Acts 25.22 through 27: Agrippa then said to Festus: “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you will hear him.” 23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with much pompous show and entered the audience chamber together with military commanders as well as the prominent men in the city; and when Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all you who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish populace have petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I perceived that he had done nothing deserving of death. So when this man himself appealed to the August One, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing certain to write about him to my Lord. So I brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the judicial examination has taken place, I might have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner and not also to indicate the charges against him.” [End Quotation]
[Box] King Herod Agrippa 2.
The Agrippa referred to in Acts chapter 25 was King Herod Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the Great and son of the Herod who had attacked the Jerusalem congregation 14 years earlier.
[Quotation] Acts 12.1: About that time Herod the king began mistreating some of those of the congregation. [End Quotation]
Agrippa was the last of the Herodian princes.
[Image Alt:] King Herod Agrippa II.
At the death of his father in 44 C.E., 17 year old Agrippa was in Rome, where he was being educated at the court of Roman Emperor Claudius. The emperor’s advisers considered Agrippa too young to inherit his father’s domain; thus, a Roman governor was appointed instead. Even so, according to Flavius Josephus, while Agrippa was still in Rome, he intervened for the Jews and represented their interests. In about 50 C.E., Claudius assigned Agrippa kingship over Chalcis and in 53 C.E., over Ituraea, Trachonitis, and Abilene. Agrippa was also given oversight of Jerusalem’s temple, with authority to appoint the Jewish high priests. Claudius’ successor Nero extended Agrippa’s realm to include parts of Galilee and Perea. At the time of his meeting Paul, Agrippa was in Caesarea with his sister Bernice, who had left her husband, the king of Cilicia.
[Quotation] Acts 25.13: After some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived in Caesarea for a courtesy visit to Festus. [End Quotation]
In 66 C.E., when Agrippa’s efforts failed to calm the Jewish rebellion against Rome, he himself became a target of the rebels, and he was left no choice but to join the Romans. After the Jewish revolt was crushed, a new emperor, Vespasian, gave Agrippa further territories as a reward. [End of box]
Question 10 and 11. How did Paul accord Agrippa respect, and what details about Paul’s own past did the apostle reveal to the king?
10. Paul respectfully thanked King Agrippa for the opportunity to present a defense to him, acknowledging that the king was an expert on all the customs as well as the controversies among Jews. Paul then described his past life: “According to the strictest sect of our form of worship, I lived as a Pharisee.”
[Quotation] Acts 26.5: who were previously acquainted with me, if they would be willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our form of worship, I lived as a Pharisee. [End Quotation]
As a Pharisee, Paul had hoped in the coming of the Messiah. Now, as a Christian, he boldly identified Jesus Christ as that long-awaited one. A belief that he and his accusers had in common, that is, the hope of the fulfillment of God’s promise to their forefathers, was the reason that Paul was on trial that day. This situation left Agrippa even more interested in what Paul had to say.* [Footnote] As a Christian, Paul accepted Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews, who rejected Jesus, viewed Paul as an apostate.
[Quotation] Acts 21.21: But they have heard it rumored about you that you have been teaching all the Jews among the nations an apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to follow the customary practices. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 21.27 and 28: Now when the seven days were about to end, the Jews from Asia, on seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and they seized him, 28 shouting: “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our Law and this place. And what is more, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” [End Quotation] [End of footnote]
11. Recalling his past outrageous treatment of Christians, Paul said: “I, for one, was convinced that I should commit many acts of opposition against the name of Jesus the Nazarene.... Since I was extremely furious with them [the followers of Christ], I went so far as to persecute them even in outlying cities.”
[Quotation] Acts 26.9 through 11: I, for one, was convinced that I should commit many acts of opposition against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 This is exactly what I did in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the holy ones in prisons, for I had received authority from the chief priests; and when they were to be executed, I cast my vote against them. 11 By punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to recant; and since I was extremely furious with them, I went so far as to persecute them even in outlying cities. [End Quotation]
Paul was not exaggerating. Many people knew of the violence he had done to the Christians.
[Quotation] Galatians 1.13: Of course, you heard about my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I kept intensely persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it; [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Galatians 1.23: They only used to hear: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now declaring the good news about the faith that he formerly devastated.” [End Quotation]
‘What could have changed such a man?’ Agrippa may have wondered.
Two parts: Question 12 and 13a. How did Paul describe his conversion?
Question 12 and 13b. How had Paul been “kicking against the goads”?
12. Paul’s next words provided the answer: “As I was traveling to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, I saw at midday on the road, O King, a light beyond the brilliance of the sun flash from heaven around me and around those traveling with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice say to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.’ But I said: ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said: ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”* [Footnote] Regarding Paul’s words that he was journeying “at midday,” one Bible scholar noted: “Unless a traveller was in a really desperate hurry he rested during the midday heat. So we see how Paul was driving himself on this mission of persecution.” [End of footnote]
[Quotation] Acts 26.12 through 15: “While doing this as I was traveling to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, 13 I saw at midday on the road, O King, a light beyond the brilliance of the sun flash from heaven around me and around those traveling with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice say to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.’ 15 But I said: ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said: ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [End Quotation]
13. Before this supernatural event, Paul had figuratively been “kicking against the goads.” Just as a beast of burden would injure itself unnecessarily by kicking against the sharp end of an oxgoad, Paul had hurt himself spiritually by resisting the will of God. By appearing to Paul on the road to Damascus, the resurrected Jesus caused this sincere but clearly misguided man to change his thinking.
[Quotation] John 16.1 and 2: “I have said these things to you so that you may not be stumbled. 2 Men will expel you from the synagogue. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he has offered a sacred service to God. [End Quotation]
Song 115 Gratitude for Divine Patience. Based on 2 Peter 3.15
1. Great God, Jehovah, boundless in might,
You have made known your love of right.
Badness prevails on earth below,
Causing us pain, as you well know.
You are not slow, as men may contend;
Your time is near for patience to end.
We look ahead with hope renewed,
Praising your name in deep gratitude.
2. One thousand years, from your point of view,
Are like a day when they are through.
Time now proceeds to your great day;
It will arrive without delay.
Though all transgression you do resent,
Your heart is glad when sinners repent.
We look ahead with hope renewed,
Praising your name in deep gratitude.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
