Acts 26: The Testimony That Almost Persuaded a King

Acts 26: The Testimony That Almost Persuaded a King Have you ever wished you could sit in the room and listen as Paul shared his testimony? Acts 26 gives us that opportunity. After years of false accusations, imprisonment, and delays, Paul finally stands before King Agrippa just like God told him! He is a prisoner in chains, yet he is not defeated. Instead of focusing on his hardships, Paul seizes the opportunity to tell the story of what Jesus has done in his life. This chapter is much more than a courtroom defense. It is a powerful testimony of God's grace, redemption, and calling. Paul recounts his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and explains the mission that has guided every step of his life since. As I read Paul's open, heartfelt story, my heart is stirred. Paul speaks with confidence and boldness, revealing far more than facts and details to King Agrippa. He opens the deepest places of his heart. He shares his past, his failures, his encounter with Jesus, and the mission that changed his life forever. As we walk through Acts 26 together, I hope you'll notice something important: Paul never lost sight of his purpose. His circumstances changed. His audience changed. His freedom was taken away. But his calling remained the same. Let's listen carefully. Paul's testimony still has the power to challenge, encourage, and inspire us today. Look with me. Acts 25:13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were going to be there for several days, Festus told King Agrippa about Paul's case and asked for his opinion. King Agrippa was intrigued and wanted to hear what Paul had to say. Festus told him that he would arrange that for the next day. King Agrippa and his sister Bernice entered the auditorium with a stately grandeur that gave the room a sense of heightened importance. Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently. 4 Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers, 7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews. Look at Paul's powerful, soul-searching question: 8 Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? Paul does more than tell us what he did. He unfolds the recesses of his soul as he describes the depth of his rage and anger against Jesus. 9 So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12 In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission 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, shining around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 'Who are You, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16 'But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from 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, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.' 19 So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Wow! Can you say that? Just as Saul saw the great light, when you were saved you responded to the light of the revelation of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Have you been obedient to that heavenly vision? 20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance. Repentance is turning to God and away from sin. But Paul didn't stop with heartfelt repentance. He continues by saying your actions, behaviors, and the way you live need to be different. The word worthy here is related to a scale—the old-fashioned metal T-bar balance scale with cups hanging from each end of the crossbar. Paul is saying you need to weigh your actions. Does this action balance with what God has done in your heart? Does this action fall short of the way God wants you to live according to Scripture? Is this action congruent with God's plan for your life as revealed in His Word? Your actions matter. Guard your thoughts and your heart because they affect your actions. Your actions affect your testimony. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But I have had God's help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: 23 that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles." Festus accused Paul of being insane. 25 But Paul answered, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety. 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident 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." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?" 29 "Short time or long," Paul replied, "I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains." 30 Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. 31 On their way out, they said to one another, "This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment." Want To Be Stronger?   Join me every Saturday for faith-filled encouragement, inspiring articles, and helpful resources delivered right to your inbox. I'd love to connect with you! 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