Paul's Defense
Acts 26, verse 1. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: Acts 26, verse 2. “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, Acts 26, verse 3. especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. Acts 26, verse 4. “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. Acts 26, verse 5. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Acts 26, verse 6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. Acts 26, verse 7. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Acts 26, verse 8. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Acts 26, verse 9. “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26, verse 10. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Acts 26, verse 11. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Acts 26, verse 12. “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, Acts 26, verse 13. at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. Acts 26, verse 14. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Acts 26, verse 15. So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 26, verse 16. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. Acts 26, verse 17. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, Acts 26, verse 18. to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26, verse 19. “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, Acts 26, verse 20. but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26, verse 21. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Acts 26, verse 22. Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— Acts 26, verse 23. that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
The Tribunal's Reaction
Acts 26, verse 24. Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” Acts 26, verse 25. But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. Acts 26, verse 26. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. Acts 26, verse 27. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Acts 26, verse 28. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26, verse 29. And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26, verse 30. When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; Acts 26, verse 31. and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Acts 26, verse 32. Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”