Text: Acts 26:1-3; 26-28

See the contrast. Paul knew Jesus Christ and see the depth of his experience of Him: Phil 3:5-9; Romans 8:35-39. The man who studied under the well known Rabbi, Gamaliel. Agrippa, being expert in Jewish law see his experience of Him.

Definition (Secular): Knowledge means TO KNOW - Information and understanding about a subject which a person has in his or her mind or which is shared by all.

Understanding means you have some knowledge of it, know how it works or what it means

Definition (Biblically): it is knowledge of the heart, not the mind alone — I John 4:6. Knowledge that dominates or rules one’s life.

Hebrew - A Verb. Nakar "to know", regard, recognise, pay attention to, be acquainted with, a kind of intellectual awareness. The basic meaning of the term Is a physical apprehension, whether through sight, touch, or hearing.

Hebrew - Yada: In addition to the essentially cognitive knowing already presented, this verb has a purely experiential side. The "knower" ha actual involvement with or in the object of the knowing. In Genesis 4:1 Adam’s knowing Eve also refers to direct contact with her— in a sexual relationship. In Genesis 18:19 God says He "knows" Abraham; He cared for him in the sense that He chose him from among other men and saw to it that certain things happened to him.

God expects us to have the YADA kind of Knowledge and not NAKAR. Yada is personal and intimate, whereas Nakar is to be acquainted with, a kind of intellectual awareness.

Mental knowledge by itself, as good as it may be, is inadequate; it is capable only of producing pride -1 Cor. 8:1; 13:2. Moral knowledge affects a person’s will -Prov. 1:7; Phil. 3:11-12; 1 John 4:6. It is knowledge of the heart. Therefore, our knowledge of God has to personal and intimate. Obviously, this has to be from both the sides: man’s free-will decision to know Him and God’s revelation. While it could be acquired through nature, conscience, history or providence, the finality has to be in line with the Word of God, which is the Bible. Which means, however God reveals to a person, it has to be in agreement with the Bible.

Here Agrippa knew about Jesus, but did not know Him. It is as good as we are saying that we all know who is Bill Clinton, but we do not know him.

Today the situation is also the same in the context of our exposure with the so-called Christians and religious people. There are clergies, who are like Agnppa, let alone the laity. Sad fact is that there are many brethren, who have identified themselves as born-again, water-baptised and even Holy Spirit filled and yet are in the shoes of Agnppa.

Kinds of Knowledge

Natural (Matthew 24:32) when the fig tree buds, you know what season you are in.

Practical (Exodus 31:1) God has put the widsom and understanding in Bezaleel and Aholiab to know

Intellectual — having the information.

Saving (John 17:3)"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent".

Spiritual (1 Cor 2:14) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Therefore the source of saving and spiritual knowledge is God himself through the Holy Scriptures and we become partakers of it by doing God’s will (2 Timothy 3:15)

Should not be puffed up with pride, but has to blend with love (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Should grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. How is this done. Study of the word, application of it Ifl day to day practical life, prayer that brings God’s grace to really live it out. Then one will not be carried away by news media that says: "Blood is oozing from the

picture of Jesus and hundreds are flocking towards it for a miracle. The Bible’s information is enough for any man and woman to be convicted that Jesus shed His precious blood for the forgiveness and remission of our sins.

Not just knowing what is right, but doing is important — Saul consulting a medium -1 Samuel 28:3-8

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge — knowledge of how God looks at sin and how he detests it — Proverbs 1:7-9

Just knowing Jesus is not enough, but believing in Him and being baptized is important — Mark 3:11 (the evil spirits cried out who Jesus was); He that believe and is baptized is saved (Mark 16:16

Knowing the Bible is not enough — John 3:10 & 11 — you must be born again. So many priests and pastors know the Bible even better than us, but what is the use.

Knowing God is very important, not knowing about God — They worship me in vain, but their teachings are rules taught by man -Matthew 15:9 Knowledge is not just to know but has to be practically applied —Colossians 1:9-14

Jesus said I know my sheep and I am known by my own. Do we really know His voice, It is important we know his voice because there are many strange voices - imitation voices.

Beware it is the sinner or those that are not truly born again are the ones who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth —2 Tim 3:7.

Increases strength — A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.

Preserves from destruction — Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge — Isaiah 5:13

Precious then wealth — Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold — Proverbs 8:10

Conclusion: Agrippa’s knowledge about Christ had kept him in darkness wherein he was refusing to be part of the light. "Do you think you can make me a Christian in a short time"? — Acts 26:28

Application: How about you my dear brothers and sisters: