Paul has been held in prison for two years and now, finally, he comes before the new governor Festus and King Agrippa, and they include all of the chief men of the city. Paul gives an account of his own life as a Pharisee, a persecutor of Christians until Jesus Christ appears to him and commissions him to go in Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Paul names Jesus Christ as the first to rise from the dead and the author of this message “to proclaim light” in Acts 26:23 “that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.” King Agrippa responds in Acts 26:28 (KJV 1900) “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” but they all walk away still in darkness themselves because they only recognize that Paul was unjustly accused in Acts 26:31 And as they were going out, they were talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment.” They have completely missed the revelation that has just been laid before them and they walk together back into the darkness.
It Is Permitted for You to Speak for Yourself
That They May Turn From the Power of Satan to God
Acts 26:9–18
As Paul gives his testimony, he describes his mindset in
Acts 26:9 Indeed, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things opposed to the name of Jesus the Nazarene,
and because of this, he acted to stop Christians wherever they were in
Acts 26:11 And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and tried to force them to blaspheme, and because I was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them even as far as to foreign cities.
That was until he came face to face with Jesus Christ. The difference with Paul was that while he was adamant about stopping this Christian message, he thought he was doing it in service to God. Just as Jesus opened Paul’s eyes, Jesus was sending Paul in
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
I Was Not Disobedient to the Heavenly Vision
Acts 26:19–24
Now that Paul has conveyed his own conversion and calling to serve Jesus Christ he says in
Acts 26:19–20 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance.
Paul might have led with the resurrection here, but instead, he quotes John the Baptist, in
Matthew 3:8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
and Jesus in
Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
and it is this message that Paul claims is the reason the Jews seized him. Paul’s message of repentance required that they admit they were not saved by birth, their DNA as the descendants of Abraham wasn’t enough. Paul’s message required that they admit that their outward appearance of keeping the law was not enough to save them. And then Paul comes to the main point that Jesus Christ suffered and was the first to rise from the dead. And even beyond that, Paul says “he”, the Christ, “was going to proclaim light” in
Acts 26:23 “that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.”
Salvation is by Jesus Christ and through him, and because he suffered and paid the price for our sin, he can give us this light that brings the knowledge of God and with it, eternal life in
John 17:2–3 just as you have given him authority over all flesh, in order that he would give eternal life to them—everyone whom you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
but as it says in
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
and the governor, Festus reacts badly to Paul’s statements about Jesus Christ as the messiah in
Acts 26:24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
Are You Persuading Me to Become a Christian
Acts 26:25–32
They have all heard the message and each of them responds according to what they believe. Festus rejects the message outright. And in
Acts 26:28 But Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”
but this may better be understood by looking at another translation. Agrippa’s response was in
Acts 26:28 (NLT) Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
and one other translation says in
Acts 26:28 (KJV 1900) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Agrippa was persuaded, but not fully convinced and Paul eeks out a final word, a prayer for them all in
Acts 26:29 And Paul replied, “I pray to God, whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who are listening to me today may become such people as I also am, except for these bonds!”
and then, the moment is over. Paul was held for two years waiting for this audience and now, it is finished.
It Was Decided That We Would Sail Away to Italy
Acts 27:1–12
They Thought They Could Accomplish Their Purpose
Acts 27:13–20
Even though they had been warned by Paul, they were set on making their way to a nicer winter harbor. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, Paul had the information they needed but they chose to follow the experience of the captain and the desire of the crew rather than heed this stranger, this man of God, Paul. It wasn’t long though, and Paul was proved right and they were all despairing in
Acts 27:20 But when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and with not a little bad weather confronting us, finally all hope was abandoned that we would be saved.
You Ought to Have Followed My Advice
Acts 27:21–26
Paul’s initial perception and warning to them was that they would lose the ship, the cargo, and their lives in
Acts 27:10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage is going to end with disaster and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives!”
As their situation grew worse, Paul had kept quiet even though they were now in a desperate situation. Then, an angel appeared to Paul in
Acts 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! It is necessary for you to stand before Caesar, and behold, God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.’
Paul was going to testify in Rome and by God’s grace, even though they had made a foolish decision is setting sail against Paul’s warning, all of their lives would be spared.
Study Verses
- Acts 26:9–18 That They May Turn From the Power of Satan to God
- Acts 26:19–24 I Was Not Disobedient to the Heavenly Vision
- Acts 26:25–32 Are You Persuading Me to Become a Christian
Today’s Reading
- Acts 26:1-32
- Acts 27:1-26