Acts 26:1-32

26:1-5 | Paul’s strategy was brilliant: he acknowledged Agrippa’s expertise so that it would become obvious to all that Paul was not guilty of offending the Jewish nation by his words or actions. As he had before Felix, Paul appealed to his own reputation and heritage. He was not raised as a seditious rebel; he was a Jew, trained as a defender and teacher of the law.

26:6-8 | The Jews accused him of believing in something that was a central tenet of Judaism. Paul returned their accusation: all Jews believe in the resurrection of the dead as promised by God to the forefathers through the prophets (Dan. 12:1-3).

26:9-11 | Paul wanted Agrippa to see that he was a faithful Jew but that his point of view had been changed suddenly, dramatically, unexpectedly, and remarkably. He wanted Agrippa to understand that he was not a troublemaker but someone whose conversion was as surprising to himself as it was to his fellow Jews.

26:12-18 | Paul’s account of his fame, his faith, and his fanaticism had the king’s undivided attention, which he then rewarded with a story the likes of which he knew the king had never heard. In the midst of his testimony to Agrippa, Paul delivered his testimony about personally meeting Jesus the Messiah. When given the opportunity to share one’s testimony, the Christian should never hesitate.

26:19-23 | The purpose of the heavenly vision was to deliver a personal commission to take the message of Christ throughout Judea and then to the Gentiles. Paul affirmed that he was held in custody for two years only for believing and teaching that which the prophets and Moses said would come to pass concerning Israel’s Messiah.

26:24-26 | Festus knew nothing of Moses and the prophets. Agrippa, although not an OT scholar, would have been familiar with the messianic traditions of the Jews, but he voiced no objection to Paul’s words. His silence betrayed his conviction.

26:26 | The Resurrection had occurred during a major Jewish holiday while the city overflowed with pilgrims. It had been on everyone’s lips. Paul’s own story – the conversion of such a high-profile member of the Jewish elite – would not have gone unnoticed by Agrippa.

26:27-28 | With all the evidence, all the testimony, all the truth laid out before him – almost was as far as Agrippa would go. Like so many people, he had no real case against Christianity, only a reluctance to admit Christ as King.

26:29 | Paul presents the offer to all who will hear and come – without exception. Christianity categorizes all people into two categories of sinners: saved and unsaved. God shows no partiality for rank, royalty, or riches.