Acts 26:1-8

Paul Tells Agrippa About his Early Life

Though Festus had the full authority of Rome behind him, it was Agrippa who told Paul he was permitted to speak. Paul stretched out his hand and began by saying he was happy to make his defense before the king, especially because Agrippa would have been familiar with Jewish teachings and customs. He begged the king to be patient, apparently planning to speak at some length.

Though born in the city of Tarsus, Paul stressed that he was brought up in Jerusalem and was well known among the Jews. Some of his accusers may well have remembered the zealous young Pharisee from his school days and time as a persecutor. He told Agrippa that he was now being judged "for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers," a likely reference to the promised Messiah. Of course, the hope that Messiah brought was of the resurrection of the dead. Paul argued that this very hope was sought by all the tribes of Israel. In fact, he said their daily earnest service was based upon that very hope. Yet, Paul claimed the essence of that hope was the basis of the Jews' accusations against him! The apostle simply asked King Agrippa, "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?" This question seems to show that his accusers were primarily of the Sadducees (Acts 26:1-8).