In what ways does Acts 26:23 encourage us to witness to "our people"? Setting the Scene Acts 26 finds Paul testifying before King Agrippa. Summing up Moses and the Prophets, he declares “that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:23) This single sentence is packed with motivation for sharing the gospel with those closest to us. Christ’s Pattern: Light to Our People First • The verse states plainly that the risen Christ “would proclaim light to our people.” • Paul, a Jew, models this order: he consistently begins in synagogues before turning to Gentiles. (Acts 13:46; Romans 1:16) • By following Christ’s pattern, we affirm God’s covenant faithfulness—He keeps promises first made to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:3). Resurrection Power Fuels Our Witness • “As the first to rise from the dead” anchors our message in history, not philosophy; we testify to a living Savior. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) • Because Jesus conquered death, we can speak with certainty, courage, and hope. (Acts 4:33) • His resurrection guarantees that His light still shines; we simply point people to what He is already doing. (John 1:4-5) Why Acts 26:23 Pushes Us Toward Our People 1. Identity: Sharing with relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow citizens honors God’s design that we care first for those He has placed nearest. (Mark 5:19) 2. Responsibility: Light received is light to be reflected. (Matthew 5:14-16) 3. Readiness: We understand the language, history, and heart-concerns of our people; we are naturally equipped to connect the gospel to their questions. 4. Promise: God delights to open eyes within our own circles. Paul saw households, synagogues, and entire cities transformed. (Acts 18:8; Acts 19:10) Practical Steps Drawn from the Verse • Proclaim Christ’s suffering: Explain why the cross was necessary—substitutionary atonement foretold in Isaiah 53. • Proclaim His resurrection: Emphasize eyewitness testimony (Acts 1:3) and changed lives. • Proclaim His light: Share how Jesus dispels darkness in real-life situations—addiction, fear, purposelessness. • Keep “our people” in focus: Make a list of family, friends, or community groups and pray for open doors like Paul requested in Colossians 4:3. • Expect expansion: While starting with our people, stay ready for God to push us outward “to the Gentiles”—anyone beyond our immediate context. Scriptural Echoes That Reinforce the Call • Acts 3:26 — “God raised up His Servant and sent Him first to you to bless you…” • Isaiah 49:6 — “to raise up the tribes of Jacob… I will also make You a light for the nations.” • 1 Peter 2:9 — “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” • 2 Corinthians 4:6 — “God… has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Living It Out Acts 26:23 assures us that Jesus Himself is still proclaiming light. We join Him by opening our mouths, trusting His resurrection power, and starting right where we are—among our own people—confident that the same light will reach far beyond them as well. |
    |