ACTS  26

1 Then Agrippa, said to Paul, You have permission to speak for yourself. So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense.

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.

4 The Jews all know the way I live 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, that if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.

 7 This is the promise  our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O King, It is because of this hope that the Jews are accuseing me

8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 i to was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints 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. In my obsession against them, I even went to foriegn cities to prosecute them.

12 At one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commisssion of the chief priests

 13 About noon, O King, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, Blazeing 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, who you are persecuteing, 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 to what you have seen of Me and what i will show you.

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 recieve forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

19 So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobeint to the visions from heaven.

20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

21 That is why the Jews siezed me and tried to kill me in the temple courts.

22 But i have had Gods help to this very day, so I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothingbeyond what the prophets and Moses said what would happen

23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead would proclaim light to His own people and to the Gentiles.

24 At this point Festus interupted Pauls defense. You are out of your mind, Paul! he shouted. Your great learning has driving you insane.

 25 I am not insane, most excellent Festus, Paul replied. What i am saying is true and reasonable.

 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 his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.

28 Then King Agrippa said to Paul. Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to become a Christian?

29 Paul replied, Short time or long I pray that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.

30 The king arose, and with him the govenor and Bernice and those sitting with them.

31 They left the room, and while talking one with another, they said, This man is not doing that deserves death or imprisonment.

32 Agrippa said to Festus, This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

That the Christ would suffer and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to His own people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:23

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Revelation 1:5

KINGS AND RULERS

 Thomas J. Grace

Paul is about to speak and testify without opposition before  King Agrippa we do not know if any of the Sanhedrin the high priest or chief priest were contacted and asked to appear and present their case against Paul. In Jerusalem they certainly would  be aware that the king was in Caesarea and it would be likely that Agrippa and Festus would discuss the matter of Paul being a prisoner. King Agrippa the first was  the king who had James head cut off and later was eaten by worms. His grandfather Herod Antipas was the king that had the head of John the Baptist cut off. His great grandfather Heord the Great was the king that had all the children murdered after the birth of Jesus.  Paul would be concerned about what this king might do to harm the work of God as all his family had done.  All the believers would be praying for the testimony of Paul  and the faith of the king.                                               

     1 King Agrippa gives Paul permission to speak, Festus after his opening remarks must have put the king in charge of the hearing. Each time Paul speaks we are told of a hand or arm motion that he makes and then begins to speak. At the front of the barracks in Jerusalem  Paul motioned with his arms and the crowd became silent.  Jesus had given in His final instructions what we call the great commission that we read three times Matthew 28: 18-20, Mark 16:15-18 and Acts 1:8 But you shall recieve power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.  Paul has done the work of the great commission as all the apostles have along with many others who have  joined in the service.

     To testify before a king was not  stated in the  great commission but is part of last days prophecy as recorded and told by Jesus Christ Luke 24:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues,  and into prisons, before kings and rulers for My names sake. We see here in refrence to the last days persecution as a time to testify before kings and rulers before the return of Christ. Paul now  is before the king and will soon testify before the emperor of the world not as part of the great commission but as a last days sample for us to learn. 

     2 Paul has some kind words for the king in front of the public audience that has gathered many Gentiles and some of the people who would travel with the king, as a courtesy Paul may have been able to ask that  some of his friends be allowed to attend.  It would seem that Luke was present to record the trial.

      Today I am pleased to make my defense of all the Jews have accused me of performing in Jerusalem and other parts of the world.  3 I am aware of your knowledge of all the Jewish customs and controversies that have divided so many people in our nation.  Paul was also aware of the sinful life the king was living with his sister  Bernice which the Sanhedrin and the high priest would not approve of and may have confronted the king about not likely. They all knew that John the Baptist was executed  when he told king Herod he should not have his brothers wife.

     4  Those Jews in Jerusalem are all aware of how I lived in Tarsus my own country and with them since I was a young boy in Jerusalem. How I studied with Gamaliel and followed all of the Law of Moses and was known to be zealous for God. 5 Those in Jerusalem can testify how long they have known me that I lived as a strict Pharisee. We certainly know the way Paul lived as a Pharisee but there did not seem to be anyone willing to testify in Pauls favor at any trial.   His early life would be remembered by the first Christians that he persecuted in Jerusalem who have all forgiven him for his past attacks on the church. Galatians 1:13,-15 For you heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

     But when God who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult with any man.  By many of his own statements Paul  made often reminds us of how God changed his life and made him the apostle to the Gentiles. 6 I am on trial today because of my hope that God has promised our fathers a Savior that will unite man and God once again and bring us to be with God in His kingdom. Just as all the prophets have recieved these promises from God  so that we might believe until it happens. 7 Those of all the twelve tribes have served God day and night while they waited and believed that God would do what He has promised. Like Abraham who first recieved a promise from God, Paul states how he is able to trust Gods word. Romans 4:20, 21 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.

      Now Paul has to explain that what all the prophets had spoken about has taken place in the life of Gods Son Jesus Christ. For these reason what I believe and preach among the Jews and Gentiles I am accused of the false charges you have heard of. I am innocent of the charges I have not violated the temple or the Law of Moses but they will punish and put me to death because of my faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and the resurrection from the dead. 8 Why should anyone not believe that God raises the dead. Paul may have used this statement at the Sanhedrin trial in Jerusalem and did know it would cause a disturbance among the Pharisees and the Sadducces and again when Felix heard the case against him and now the third time he makes this same statement.

     His strong belief in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead as the first to rise as proof that He is the Son of God and is our future hope of our own resurrection. Romans 6:3,4 Or dont you know that all of us were who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we to may live a new life.  1 Corinthians 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then when He comes those who belong to Him.  Here before the king he may speak of the resurrection and explain the full hope and testimony of Jesus Christ to the king without any debate.

     9 Before I knew Christ I was convinced that I must oppose those who believed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth all of my study and knowledge did not show me that  Jesus was the true Savior, this had to be revealed to me. 10 On the authority of the chief priests I put many Christians into prison and cast my vote against them when they were put to death. Paul had a vote and may have been a member of the Sanhedrin which he never states he does say he was advanced in Judaism beyond many his own age. If a member of the Sanhedrin he may have been a member during the trial of Jesus Christ, and at the trials of Peter and John. We certainly know of Pauls actions at the trial and execution of Stephen we certainly must know that as Stephen and Jesus at their time of death both made statements that God should forgive the men who were killing them. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. When Jesus spoke about His death to His own apostles we hear a reaction Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. If this was hid from the apostles how much more was hid from those who did not believe, and make the statement of Christ much more clear. Like wise Stephen said Acts 7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord do not hold this sin against them. When he said this he fell asleep. If Paul was also present when Jesus was crucified he may have been forgiven twice by men that he had a part in concerning their death. This may be one of the many reasons Paul did state he does not refuse to die.

     11 I also  went to the synagogues throughout the city in order to capture those who believed in Jesus Christ that I could punish. I forced then to blaspheme and deny that Jesus was the Son of God and again to blaspheme against God so that I might have a death penalty charge against them. I also traveled to foriegn cities to persecute Christians we are not told of the other cities that Paul persecuted Christians in but he would have followed the trail of the apostles. 12 With the authority and commission of the chief priests I was on my way to Damascus. Paul as a matter of giving the impression of some legal right he each time secures the commission of the chief priests. Later he will not go first to the apostles or any other authority before he begins to preach the gospel. Galatians 1:17,18 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. Pauls new authority did not come from man as the gospel he now preached did not come from man. Isaiah 42:6 I, the Lord have called you in righteousness, I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.  Paul began his ministry with a commission from the Lord and no longer needed to seek the authority of man. 

      Paul is not making a true defense for himself against the charges that Agrippa and Festus may have been aware of. Paul has cited his own sins during the times he persecuted Christians which may have violated the Law of Moses many times as he arrested and punished Christians without a fair trial and the use of force to gain false confessions and blasphemed statements. He has admitted to more sins than the Jews were going to charge him with. Paul did not speak about how he has spread the word of God in places where it has never been heard before, he did not speak of the people who have been healed and had demons cast out of them. He never told of the many churches that he founded and never accused the Jews of the crimes of being false witnesses.  Pauls testimony was to be a witness and to proclaim Gods salvation through Jesus Christ to the king and all who were present.

     13 About noon the same time that three  hours of darkness began while Jesus was on the cross Luke 23:44  I saw a light brighter than the sun which would be very strong at midday on this road at noon. The light was seperate than the sunlight and could be seen to only focus on these men and could be seen as not on the area where they were not standing. We are given a few new deatails of the moments that Jesus speaks to Paul. 14 We all fall to the ground but I only hear a voice that in NIV is Aramaic and the KJV says He spoke Hebrew. The voice says Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?  15 Paul ask Who are you Lord? Paul was on the ground and blind while he waited for a reply these were not the conditions he had ever read when God spoke to Moses, Elijah or any of the prophets blindness could only be thought of as a punishment. Paul believed in God completely he trusted the high priests  and his teachers when they claimed that Jesus was not the Savior. When Paul hears the question Why do you persecute Me? he answeres with his question that he already knows God is speaking and there is only one group he is persecuteing  Who are you Lord?  The only possible answer was I am Jesus.  Paul would  know that any punishment for his acts would be deserved and just.

     16 Here is the information we were not told about until Ananias spoke to Paul in Damascus. 16 Jesus speaks to Paul tells him to stand up I will make you a servant and a witness of what you see now and will see again about Me. 17 I will rescue you from both the Jews and the Gentiles also and I am sending you to the Gentiles. Paul a Jew must learn that Jesus is the Savior and also that Gentiles will also now believe in Jesus. As a Jew he would not associate with Gentiles because they would not obey the Law of Moses and most Gentiles were the enemies that have conquered his country. At that time not even Peter or any of the apostles had began to tell Gentiles about Christ. 18 You will open their eyes turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. They will recieve forgiveness of sins and be santified by their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus has declared that these Gentiles will believe and be equal before Him  and Paul is the man who will declare this to the Gentiles. For this reason his work among the Gentiles that has resulted in the charges brought against him and why the Jews wanted him dead.

     Jesus declares they are under the power of satan not merely incorrect or without knowledge of God they have been decieved and are under a control of satan.  Jesus calls satan the prince of this world twice John 12:31 Now is the time of judgement for this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. also see John 16:11   this title prince defines a being with authority and followers and believers that will obey him. At that  time the false religions were idol, pagan and emperor worship which at many times have been ordered by the rulers both local or national.

     We have the same false beliefs today that Jesus spoke of as the power of satan some with more power and more believers  than the Roman empire. Luke 22:53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this is your hour when darkness reigns. Jesus saw the power of satan in man while he was alive, the Jews who knew the word of God that did not believe in Him and in Judas who betrayed Him.   What are all his powers over man we have not seen all his evil rule in this world as we are warned Revelation 2:24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teachings, and have not learned satans so called deep secrets.  This is a knowledge that is becomeing more public as the followers of satan in this world are becomeing more bold and will be able to practice the  worship of satan. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We are told we will battle against and defeat the forces of satan while those without Christ will be decieved by satan and his followers.

     19 King Agrippa I did obey this vision from heaven I have been taught and have had the full revelation of God through His Son Jesus Christ as He has appeared and spoke to me and I have obeyed the words of the Holy Spirit as He has directed and taught me the work I must do. Paul who had a vision of Jesus saw a light and heard the voice from heaven in a few brief moments and was not even able to confirm what he heard with the men who were with him because they did not hear the voice. Under these conditions Paul became a believer in Jesus Christ there had been thousands who heard Jesus speak sometimes for several days, they would see healings and miracles, some were present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and would not believe because of the power of satan. Paul in this short time decided he would trust Jesus for his own salvation and eternal life.

      20 I began to preach about Jesus there in Damascus the city I was going to persecute Christians in, In Jerusalem and all throughout Judea I taught both Jews and Gentiles. I taught that they should believe in God repent of there past lives and prove themselves by their new works. Because of my message about Jesus Christ and because I spoke this message of God to the Gentiles the Jews seized me in the temple courts and would have killed me if the Roman commander Lysais had not rescued me from the crowd. 

     22 With the help of God I have escaped persecution and acts that became plans to kill me many times, this is why I am still alive today. To continue to bring the word of God to small and great as I tell nothing  that has not been the words of Moses and all of the prophets that have spoken about Christ that we have read all our lives. 23 That Christ would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead was told by the prophet Isaiah chapter 53 and King David Psalm 22 and many more other prophets.  Paul returns again to the issue of the resurrection from the dead once again to prove that Jesus is the true Savior. Paul knew the three great events were the death, resurrection and the return of Christ. I have taught nothing that cannot be proved in the scriptures that were given to us by God.

     24 Festus makes a statement You are out of your mind. Your great learning is driving you insane. Of all the Roman rulers Festus must have known the least about God. But by calling Paul insane he may be able to disregard Paul appeal to Caesar and keep him in prison for life which might satisfy the Jews in Jerusalem and solve his problem. It could be that Festus recognized that Agrippa was being influenced by the testimony of Paul and if the king believed in Jesus he might find a way to release him, which might cause new problems. 25 I am not insane! What I am saying is true and reasonable. Paul would understand Festus statement as a serious charge that could damage him more than the charges of the Jews.

     26 The king knows all that I have been saying is true I can speak freely to him. He does understand all the prophets have said about our Savior and knows all of the events that have taken place over the past thirty seven years none of these things have been hidden from him. 27 King Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know that you do! Paul makes a personal appeal to the king to believe in what the prophets have told him and put his faith now in the risen Savior Jesus Christ.    28 Agrippa speaks Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian. KJV Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. King Agrippa could have said I want to hear more from Paul or I will return tommorrow to hear everything Paul has to say about Jesus death and resurrection. Just as Paul only had a moment to decide and believe in Jesus Christ while he was on the road to Damascus, Agrippa now had a moment to decide what he would believe.

      Unlike Paul Agrippa rejected Christ as his Savior and what could have been the begining of a new revival to the Jews. Paul did believe and a new ministry to the Gentiles began and Agrippas  rejection of Christ is the start of the end of the ministry to the Jews and the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem will soon come.  Agrippa certainly recognized that Paul was trying to lead him to believe in Jesus rather than spend the time together to declare how he was innocent of the charges the Jews made against him. 29 Pauls responce was I  pray that you King Agrippa nad everyone  that hears me will become like me in my faith in Jesus Christ  the room was full there should have been some people that God choose to be there and believe the final message of Paul in his country before he leaves for Rome.

     30 The king and Festus and Bernice rise and so did everyone in the room. 31 When they met privately outside the room they said this man has done nothing that deserves death or prison. Like so many others who have heard Paul speak knew that he was innocent but there was not will to release him. 32 The king said to Festus if he had not appealed to Caesar he could be set free. They did not understand the will of God for Paul to remain there because this would be his only way  he could testify before Caesar. Paul will go back to his cell and wait there for his journey to Rome to begin with a new ministry.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS