The Book of Acts Chapter 26

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The Book of Acts Chapter 26

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.26.NIV

Paul's Witness to the Authority (3)

Paul’s Witness Before Agrippa

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” (Agrippa gave time to Paul to speak.)

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: (Paul begins his defence.)

2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. (Paul was building an bridge between himself and Agrippa.)

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.

5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. (Paul had been living the Jewish traditional life.)

6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. (But he converted to the true salvation of God, not different of the true teachings of the Old Testament.)

7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. (This Way is from the very beginning of the birth of the Jewish nation, even from the Creation.)

8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? (It is no wonder that God can raises the dead. But people don't expect the resurrection.)

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Paul himself didn't believe the Risen Lord. He actually limited the power of the almighty God.)

10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem (because of his unbelief). On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (He persecuted the believers in many places and was a witness of the martyrdom of Steven.)

(And Paul was recounting his own experience of meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.)

13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.

16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Paul explained how the encounter with Jesus happened, emphasizing the overwhelming experience in which he couldn't raise any objection but obeying the commission of Jesus. It was not him but Jesus who governs everything.)

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. (Paul merely was obeying Jesus in those places; to the Jews and also the Gentiles..)

21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. (The mere obedience to the Risen Lord became the cause of being accused by the Jews.)

22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. (But Paul was utilizing the hostile objection as his chance to share the Gospel.) I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen- 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” (The Gospel, the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is not different than the ancient Jewish belief.)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” (Fetus, who couldn't believe the resurrection of the dead could not accept Paul's reasoning, and thought Paul was insane due to his fervent belief.)

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. (But Paul not only insisted his saneness but also the reasoning beyond of common understanding which is way short to the power and knowledge of God. Mt. 22:29, 1Co. 1:22-25)

26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” (Paul argued that the King Agrippa might know better than Festus because Agrippa should be familiar with Judaism.)

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Agrippa knew Paul's clever strategy but somewhat resisted Paul's persuasion.)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long- I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Paul wanted everyone who hears the message have faith in Jesus Christ. Because it is the way of the Eternal Life; The Best Intention of God. Jn. 14:6)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. (The hearing was over.)

31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” (Those audiences agreed on innocence of Paul.)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Agrippa found that Paul might be released if he didn't appeal his case to the emperor. But winning the trial is not Paul's goal, but sharing the Gospel in Rome, the capital city of the world. In fact, if Paul didn't appeal imperial trial, so that he might be released in Caesarea, then he might be killed by the Jewish extremists who'd been trying to kill Paul for sure. God knows what the best is. So we try to make our way His Way.)