The Book of Acts

Paul Speaks to Agrippa (part 2)

Acts 26:1-32 _NLT

“...Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You may speak in your defense’. So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense.” (v. 1)

            Paul was getting what he had wished for ... an audience with someone who was knowledgeable in Jewish customs and their associated religious laws. Paul complimented the King for his expertise in such matters. 

                  Paul began by describing his “thorough Jewish training” from his earliest childhood.  He noted that although his Jewish accusers may not admit it, Paul was a member of the Pharisees ... the strictest sect in Judaism. He reasoned as to why anyone who believed in God would find it incredible that God could raise the dead? 

                  The apostle shared his previous belief that as a Pharisee he was to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene ... using violence if necessary. Paul oversaw the imprisonment and death of many believers in “the Way”. * 

                  When his conversion took place, Paul was on his way to Damascus by the authority and commission of the leading priests. He was going to reign down persecution on any believers residing there.  However, the Lord Jesus had other ideas. Paul shared what essentially amounted to his testimony with King Agrippa. His accusers had already heard it, as had Governor Festus. This time more details regarding what Jesus said to him was shared. The leading priests commission had been replaced by the Lord’s commission to preach to the Gentiles. Now the Jews saw Gentiles (any person who was a non-Jew) as filthy, uncouth animals. They were not allowed in the synagogues or to intermarry with Jews. So Paul claiming God sent him to bring Gentiles into the family of God was a cursed thing to the religious leaders. This riled up the Pharisees and Sadducees, but the tipping point for the latter group was Paul’s mention of Christ rising from the dead, for they were diametrically opposed to a bodily resurrection of any kind.

                  Once Paul concluded Festus suddenly shouted, “Paul, you are insane! Too much study has made you crazy!” Paul denied being crazy ... that what he had said to them all at that time was “the sober truth”. He then appealed to King Agrippa, stating that the king most assuredly knew all about what was being said for he knew what the OT prophets had foretold. It was at that time that Agrippa interrupted Paul by saying “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied that whether now or a future time it was his prayer that all present would accept Christ. 

                  It was then that the King, Festus, Bernice, and everyone else there got up and went outside the auditorium. In talking the case over they all agreed that Paul hadn’t done anything worthy of death or incarceration. Agrippa then revealed to Festus that the apostle could have been set free if he hadn’t made an appeal to Caesar. Did Paul make a mistake? I don’t think so ... I believe Paul was seeking an audience anywhere it could be found, so if he had another chance to preach the gospel in the form of his defense against any accusations against him, he was more than willing to preach on. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

* (I believe there is a scriptural explanation for the earliest church being called “the Way”.  Jesus said to ‘doubting’ Thomas in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus was and is ‘The Way’ ... more precisely, the only way to heaven.)