Different Responses to the Gospel (Acts 23-26)

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 22nd March 2026Passage: Acts 23-26Sermon Summary:Though he continues to be in chains—though more than forty Jews bound themselves by an oath to neither eat nor drink until they had killed him (Acts 23:12-13)—Paul continues to speak about faith in Christ Jesus wherever he goes, whether by word or deed.Ananias, Felix, and King Agrippa display three very different responses to what Paul shares. The high priest Ananias was known and hated for his cruelty, ruthlessness, and corruption. It’s no wonder that even Paul loses his temper when dealing with Ananias (v.3), though he apologizes once he learns who Ananias is. (v.5) While Paul’s actions reflect the integrity and righteousness of his Lord Jesus Christ, Ananias and the Jews continue to hunt him down as they vow to kill him, showing no softness in their hearts for Jesus. (Acts 24:1)For his part, Felix had heard about the followers of the Way (v.22), and so knew that the charges raised against Paul were false. When he finally hears Paul speak, Paul does not shy away from declaring God’s righteousness and self-control, and the coming judgment of Jesus Christ. (v.25) This unsettles Felix, who was in an illicit marriage with his wife Drusilla, having convinced her to divorce her Jewish husband to marry him, a Gentile. Instead of being moved to repentance, Felix became alarmed (v.25) and left Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews. (v.27)King Agrippa, who was of Jewish lineage, recognizes all that Paul has done, and he believes him—he even says that Paul had done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. (Acts 26:31) But when it comes to following Christ, he counts the cost after receiving Paul’s invitation to know Christ (v.28-29) and finds the world more compelling than Jesus.We will receive such responses when we set out to shareJesus, church, but do not be discouraged. Only invite theHoly Spirit to move as Paul did, and let Him lead and guideyou.