In what ways does Acts 26:27 connect with Romans 10:17 about hearing and faith? Setting the Scene Acts 26 places Paul before King Agrippa II. After testifying to Christ’s resurrection, Paul presses Agrippa with a direct question: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” (Acts 26:27) Paul is not merely testing Agrippa’s knowledge; he is inviting him to respond in faith to what he has already heard from the Scriptures. Hearing that Demands a Response • Paul assumes Agrippa has heard the prophetic Word. • The moment of decision hinges on whether that hearing will blossom into belief. • Paul’s confidence—“I know you do”—underscores that genuine hearing carries moral weight; it brings responsibility to believe. Romans 10:17—The Principle Stated “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) • Faith’s origin: exposure to God’s spoken revelation. • “Hearing” is not passive reception; it is attentive, obedient listening. • The “word of Christ” spans Old Testament prophecy (the very prophets Paul cites) and the gospel Paul proclaims. Parallel Threads between Acts 26:27 and Romans 10:17 1. Source of Faith – Both passages root faith in God’s communicated Word, not human reasoning alone. 2. Responsibility of the Hearer – Agrippa’s familiarity with the prophets mirrors Paul’s wider point that everyone who hears is accountable to respond (cf. Romans 10:18). 3. Urgency of Decision – Paul’s courtroom question is immediate; Romans 10 describes the ongoing pattern—each fresh encounter with God’s Word creates another opportunity for faith. 4. Link between Old Testament and Gospel – Paul’s appeal to “the prophets” aligns perfectly with Romans 10:16’s citation of Isaiah 53:1; the same prophetic voice leads directly to Christ. Supporting Passages that Reinforce the Connection • Luke 16:31—“If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” • John 5:46–47—Jesus: “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” • Hebrews 4:2—The good news “was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” • James 1:21–22—Receive the implanted word “with humility,” then “be doers of the word.” Takeaway—Cultivating a Hearing Heart • Treasure every opportunity to sit under Scripture; it is the God-ordained channel for faith. • Move from informed agreement (“Yes, I know the prophets”) to personal trust in Christ. • Let the prophets and the apostles speak together; their united testimony directs us to the risen Lord, just as Paul intended for Agrippa—and just as Romans 10:17 promises for every hearer today. |
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