Acts 26 - Introduction

Paul's Sermon Before King Agrippa

Acts Twenty-Six

Acts twenty-five pictured Paul before the judgment bar of Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice and some great men of Caesarea. They wanted to hear what Paul had to say as he spoke for himself. In Acts chapter twenty-six we have record of Paul as he carefully answered the charges made against him.

Paul had lived his life as a Pharisee but he learned that the hope of the Jews is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He is now in bonds because of that hope. He asked Agrippa why he thought it would be impossible for God to raise the dead? Paul had thought he should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He did his best to destroy Christianity because he felt that he was doing the will of God.

Christ was made know to Paul as he journeyed to Damascus to persecute Christians. He saw a bright light and heard the voice of the Lord. He became convinced that the Righteous One had been raised from the dead. He obeyed the Lord quickly. (Acts 22:16; Acts 9:18) As a Christian Paul was sent to be a missionary among the Gentiles. He wanted it understood that his commission to work among the Gentiles had its origin in heaven. God told Paul that he was sending him to the Gentiles to "open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:18)

Festus thought that Paul was a mad man but Agrippa was not far from being converted. "Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:28) Sadly Agrippa was only a little distance from being make a Christian, yet there is no Biblical evidence that his heart was ever changed. The wish Paul had for Agrippa should be our desire for all mankind. "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." (Acts 26:29)

Even after two years of being kept in prison unjustly Paul's heart was still filled with faith, hope, joy, conviction and love for God. Happiness does not depend on circumstance. Paul might have been bound by the government but he was free in Christ.

Festus, Agrippa and Bernice agreed saying, "This man has done nothing which might give cause for death or prison." (Acts 26:31) "Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."