Acts of the Apostles - Chapter 26

Acts of the Apostles 26.1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: Acts of the Apostles 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: Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Acts of the Apostles 26.9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts of the Apostles 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; Acts of the Apostles 26.17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Acts of the Apostles 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: Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Acts of the Apostles 26.28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts of the Apostles 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. Acts of the Apostles 26.30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: Acts of the Apostles 26.31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Acts of the Apostles 26.32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Acts of the Apostles : Chapter 26

Paul's Defense Before King Agrippa

Chapter 26 of the Acts of the Apostles presents a solemn and significant moment: the defense of the Apostle Paul before King Agrippa. This passage highlights how Paul expresses his faith in the face of royalty, testifying to his deep conviction and commitment to the Gospel.

Witness of Conversion and Apostolic Vocation

This eloquent text recounts Paul's powerful testimony, recounting not only his conversion, but also his apostolic vocation. Throughout his narrative, Paul addresses fundamental themes such as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the universality of the gospel, and the transforming power of Christ in his life.

Agrippa's Response and Declaration of Innocence

The chapter culminates with King Agrippa's response and Paul's declaration of innocence. This moment invites deep reflection on truth and justice, as well as on how faith can influence the hearts of even the powerful.

Meditating on Bible Passages

To enrich our understanding of the powerful themes of this persuasive chapter, let's meditate on five biblical passages that resonate with Paul's testimony:

1 Corinthians 15:8-10

"Then he appeared to me, as if born out of time. For I am the least of the apostles, and not even worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not was in vain." - Paul reflects here on his conversion, an account he expands on in depth in Acts 26.

Galatians 1:15-16

"But God, who separated me from the womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles." - Paul evokes his divine calling, a direct echo of his testimony in Acts 26.

Philippians 3:4-6

"Even though I also have reasons for such confidence. If anyone thinks he has reasons to trust In the flesh, I do it even more: circumcised on the eighth day, belonging to the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in the law, a Pharisee; in zeal, a persecutor of the Church; in the righteousness that is found in the law, it is blameless." - Paul lists his Jewish credentials, in the same way he does in his defense in Acts 26.

2 Corinthians 4:6

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has himself shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." - This verse echoes Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus, which he fervently recounts in Acts 26.

Ephesians 3:8-9

"To me, the least of all the saints, this grace has been given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make clear to all people the purpose of this mystery, which has been hidden in God from the beginning of time, who created all things." - Paul here reflects on his call to preach to the Gentiles, an aspect he also mentions in his defense in Acts 26.

May these passages inspire and encourage us to deepen our own faith and to bear witness to God's work in our lives, just as Paul did with courage and conviction.