Acts 26 Summary

Agrippa grants Paul permission to speak, and Paul stretches forth his hand to respond, expressing gratitude to defend himself before the expert king. Paul recounts his youth as a strict Pharisee at Jerusalem, known to all Jews for his adherence to their most straitest sect. He states he stands judged for the hope of the promise God made to the fathers, which the twelve tribes serve hoping to receive. Paul testifies he once thought it his duty to oppose the name of Jesus, shut up saints in prison with authority from the high priest, gave votes against them at their death, and compelled them in synagogues to blaspheme while pursuing them to strange cities. As he journeyed to Damascus with authority from the chief priests at midday, a light brighter than the sun shone about him and his companions, and all falling to earth, Paul heard a voice in Hebrew saying Jesus had appeared to make him a minister and witness. The Lord commissioned Paul to open blind eyes, turn men from darkness to light and Satan's power to God, that they receive forgiveness and inheritance among the sanctified by faith in Christ. Paul obeyed the vision, preaching at Damascus, Jerusalem, and throughout Judea, then to the Gentiles, calling them to repent and do works meet for repentance. He testifies that he continues witnessing both small and great, saying only what Moses and the prophets said would come: that Christ should suffer, be first to rise from the dead, and show light to the people and Gentiles. As Paul speaks, Festus shouts that much learning makes him mad, but Paul protests his sanity, speaking truth and soberness. Paul appeals to Agrippa, asking if he believes the prophets, and Agrippa replies that Paul almost persuades him to be Christian. Paul responds wishing all who hear him today were altogether such as he is, except bound. The king, governor, and Bernice rise and, conversing apart, agree Paul deserves neither death nor bonds and might have been released had he not appealed to Caesar.