*Acts 26:1-32
Given the opportunity to defend himself before King Agrippa, Paul recounts his past as a persecutor of Christians and his conversion to Christianity brought on by a vision of Jesus.
- Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa:
- Governor Festus grants Paul the opportunity to speak before King Agrippa, Queen Bernice, and other dignitaries.
- Paul expresses his gratitude for the chance to defend himself before Agrippa, who is knowledgeable about Jewish customs and controversies.
- Paul’s Background and Zeal for Jewish Traditions:
- Paul recounts his life as a Pharisee, emphasizing his strict adherence to Jewish law and his initial persecution of Christians, which he pursued zealously.
- He describes his role in imprisoning Christians and even approving their executions.
- Paul’s Conversion on the Road to Damascus:
- Paul details his dramatic conversion experience while on his way to Damascus, where a light from heaven blinded him, and Jesus spoke to him.
- He explains how Jesus commissioned him to turn from darkness to light and from Satan to God, promising that he would witness both to Jews and Gentiles.
- Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles:
- After his conversion, Paul obeyed the heavenly vision and began preaching that people should repent and turn to God, demonstrating their repentance by their deeds.
- This mission, he explains, is why the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him.
- Paul Asserts His Faithfulness to Scripture:
- Paul defends his teachings and actions by stating they are consistent with what the prophets and Moses said would happen: the Messiah would suffer, rise from the dead, and bring the message of light to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles.
- Festus’s Interruption and Paul’s Reply:
- During Paul’s defense, Festus interrupts, accusing Paul of being insane due to excessive learning. Paul responds by insisting that he is speaking the sober truth.
- Paul’s Appeal to Agrippa:
- Paul directly addresses King Agrippa, asking if he believes the prophets. Agrippa is taken aback and reacts somewhat defensively, remarking to Paul that he might almost persuade him to become a Christian.
- Paul expresses his wish that not only Agrippa but all listening might become as he is, except for his chains.
- Agrippa’s Private Discussion and Conclusion:
- After the hearing, Agrippa confers with Festus and concludes that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
- Both Agrippa and Festus agree that Paul has done nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
26:1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 26:3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
26:4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
26:8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
26:12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
26:21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
26:25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
26:30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 26:31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
26:32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.