Acts 26
-Paul makes his
defense before Agrippa and Festus pointing out Agrippa’s vast knowledge (Acts
26:3) and faith in Judaism (Acts 26:27) and recounting his testimony as he
himself turned to Christ. He made a vital point that it was not his religion
that saved him, but it was the Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 26:4-5). This defense
was convincing and almost persuaded Agrippa to become a Christian it appears
from the text. Paul would have been let go had it not been for his appeal to
Caesar (Acts 26:32). They concluded he had done nothing worthy of death or
imprisonment (Acts 26:31).
-Some interesting words of Christ are given in this third
detailed account of Paul’s Damascus road conversion. God called Paul and sent
him “to open their eyes so that they (Jews and Gentiles) may turn from darkness
to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by
faith in Me (Acts 26:18).” There is some great theology in this statement by
Jesus. First, there must be recognition (an opening of the eyes) of our
depravity before a living, holy, and righteous God. Our sin is great and
separates us from the God who illuminates us in His light and His control
(dominion). Repentance (a turning, a changing of the mind, a new direction in
life) must occur for us to begin to inherit the Lord’s salvation and receive
forgiveness of the terrible and horrible sins we have committed that tear us apart
from the God who loves us (John 3:16). The crucial last step is sanctification
(a setting apart, a making holy), which happens as a result of our faith in
Christ Jesus’ atonement based on His death on the cross, burial, and
resurrection (faith is only as good as the object it is placed in). Christ gave
Paul this message upon revealing Himself to him along that Damascus road. Then,
Paul was faithful to preach it everywhere he went after receiving it.
-*Application* Have you been saved and sanctified? Have you
turned from the darkness of Satan’s dominion to the light of the Lord’s
authority? Have you believed in Him? Some people might think we are crazy as
Festus did with Paul. But the facts of the gospel stand and the resurrection
gives us power to hope in a bright future for all eternity. Paul’s hope was for
all to be as he was as a believer (Acts 26:6, 29). Let us also tell the good
news of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.
Verses to Memorize:
Acts 26:6, 18-19, 29
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