Paul Before King Agrippa

Scriptures: Acts 26:19-32

By the end of this lesson, we will: *Know why Paul stood up for what he believed; *Feel confident in sharing our faith; *Examine ways to defend our faith, even in the face of rejection.

Background: The book of Acts follows Paul from chapter nine when he is converted through his travels and imprisonment starting in chapter twelve. His preaching and converting and being falsely accused in the Temple, (Acts 21:27-36) which leads to an audience with the Sanhedrin and ultimately plots for his murder, bringing us to three judgments for Paul. He is accused and sent to Felix and kept in prison for two years until Festus takes over as governor and Paul asks to be judged as a Roman citizen. “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.” (Acts 25:10). The Jews made valiant attempts at his demise, but Paul was protected by God and was well versed in both Jewish and Roman law.

Lesson: Paul Declares His Apostleship (Acts 26:1923). Paul tells the story of his life-changing encounter with Christ (verses 12-19). “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (verse 19). By telling his conversion story to Agrippa (who was well acquainted with Jewish customs, history and law) Paul was saying to one who would understand that you do not disobey a “heavenly vision.” Paul continues in verse 20 to say that he was called to testify and that’s what he did. In verses 21-23 Paul explains the fundamentals of Jesus’s message – that salvation has come by Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. “… that the Christ would suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to Jewish people and to the Gentiles” (verse 23). Paul’s commission, his apostleship, was to the Gentiles.

Paul Declares the Truth (verses 27-29). Paul was aware of whom he was addressing. Agrippa was the grandson of Herod who tried to kill Jesus at His birth and the son of the Agrippa who killed James. Paul also makes plain that the truth he was speaking in his own defense was common knowledge already known by Agrippa. “… for I am convinced that none of these things escape his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner” (verse 26). “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe“ (verse 27). Paul turned the tables on Agrippa. Since Paul would boldly talk about Jesus to anyone, it’s not surprising that he would challenge Agrippa. But was Paul trying to defend himself or trying to convert Agrippa? “… you almost persuaded me to become a Christian.” Truth and reason should lead Agrippa to believe upon Jesus, but he refused to believe and to say he believed. He did however say “almost,” but almost isn’t enough – you can’t almost have eternal