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Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak in your own defense.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense as follows:

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“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that today I am allowed to make my defense before you concerning all the accusations brought against me by the Jews,

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especially because you are well acquainted with all the customs and questions among the Jews. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently.

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All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, for from the beginning I lived among my own people in Jerusalem.

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They have known me for a long time, and if they are willing, they can testify that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest party of our religion.

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And now I stand on trial because of the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,

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the promise our twelve tribes hope to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

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Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

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Indeed, I myself once thought that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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I did this in Jerusalem as well. Not only did I put many of the saints in prison, after receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote against them when they were put to death.

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In the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them deny their faith, and in my raging fury I pursued them even to foreign cities.”

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“On one such journey, as I was going to Damascus with full authority and commission from the chief priests,

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at midday, O King Agrippa, I saw on the road a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.

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We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

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But I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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But now, rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a servant and a witness of the things you have seen from Me, and of the things I will yet show you.’

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I will set you apart from this people and from the nations, and I will send you to them,

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to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.

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Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

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But first I proclaimed to those in Damascus, in Jerusalem, and throughout all the land of Judea, and also to the nations, that they should repent and turn to God and do works worthy of repentance.

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For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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But by the help of God I have continued to this day, bearing witness to small and great alike. And what I say is nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would happen,

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after the Messiah would suffer, and that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and that He would proclaim light to this people and to the nations.”

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While Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus cried out with a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad.”

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But Paul said, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus! I am speaking true and sober words!

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The king knows about these matters, and therefore I speak boldly to him. I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner.

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Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe them.”

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Agrippa answered, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian!”

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Paul said, “I would to God that whether soon or late, not only you but also all who hear me today might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

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Then the king rose, and the governor, and Bernice, and all who were sitting with them.

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As they went out, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving death or imprisonment.”

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And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

📖 Acts 26 – Paul Bears Witness before King Agrippa

🧾 Summary of the Content

This chapter contains Paul’s testimony and defense before King Agrippa II and the high officials. In this hearing, Paul tells the story of his conversion, his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles, and explains why he suffers for the name of Christ. King Agrippa’s response is striking, for he says, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian!” (verse 28).

✨ Verse-by-Verse Explanation

1. Paul Is Allowed to Defend Himself (Verses 1–3)

• King Agrippa gave Paul the opportunity to defend himself.
• Paul expressed his gratitude for speaking before Agrippa, who understood the customs and the differences of opinion among the Jews.

💡 Lesson: Respect and courtesy can open the way for witness.

2. Paul’s Life Before His Conversion (Verses 4–11)

• Paul explained that he had been brought up as a Pharisee, the strictest group in the law of Moses.
• He once persecuted the followers of Christ and was fiercely opposed to the name of Jesus.

💡 Lesson: Everyone has a past, but grace can change everything.

3. Paul’s Conversion and Christ’s Appearance (Verses 12–18)

• On the journey to Damascus, Jesus appeared to Paul in a bright light.
• Jesus called him to be a servant and a witness, to:

• • Open the eyes of the nations.

  • Bring them out of darkness into light.

  • Give forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the saints.

💡 Lesson: A personal encounter with Christ completely changes the direction of a person’s life.

4. Paul’s Ministry and the Jews’ Rejection (Verses 19–23)

• Paul affirmed that he did not disobey the vision, but instead proclaimed repentance.
• He preached to all people — Jews and Gentiles.
• He emphasized that the Messiah had to suffer and would rise from the dead — as light for all.

💡 The heart of the Gospel is the death and resurrection of Christ — the way of salvation for all.

5. The Response of Festus and Agrippa (Verses 24–32)

• Festus interrupted the discussion, accusing Paul of being mad because of too much learning.
• Paul answered that he was speaking rightly and sensibly.
• Agrippa replied:

“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

• Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice agreed that Paul was not guilty and could be released if he had not appealed to Caesar.

💡 Lesson: Not everyone will believe, but a sincere testimony will always have an effect.

📘 Main Teaching of Acts 26

1. Personal testimony is the most powerful weapon in proclaiming the Gospel.
2. God’s grace is able to transform even the darkest past.
3. We are called to be light — bringing people to forgiveness and inheritance in Christ.
4. Rejection of the Gospel is not because of a lack of evidence, but because of a heart not yet open.
5. Sincerity and integrity in ministry will be remembered, even by rulers.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of Acts 26

• Paul was not ashamed to tell of his past, because it showed God’s power in transforming his life.
• His testimony was not merely for self-defense, but as an opportunity to proclaim Christ.
• “Almost becoming a Christian” is not enough — only true faith saves.
• The Lord gives everyone an opportunity to respond to the Gospel, even kings and high officials.