Paul's Testimony Before Agrippa

Paul’s Testimony Before Agrippa

Ac 26:1-23

I. PAUL’S LIFE BEFORE HIS CONVERSION (1-12)

1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

A. HIS TRAINING

1. Well-taught. (22:3)

2. Well-trained.

B. HIS THINKING. (9)

1. Paul was an enthusiast. (22:3)

2. Paul was an extremist. (5)

A. He was dogmatic.

B. He was dangerous.

1. He punished early believers. (11)

2. He persecuted early believers. (11)

II. PAUL’S CONVERSION (13-18)

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 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.

A. SUDDEN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST (13)

1. When it happen.

2. Where it happen. See Acts 9

B. STRANGE ENQUIRY BY CHRIST. (14,15)

C. SPECIAL EMPOWERMENT FROM CHRIST. (16-18)

1. Chosen by God.

2. Commission by God.

III. PAUL’S LIFE FOLLOWING HIS CONVERSION (19-23)

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

A. HE IS A CHANGED MAN

1. His mission had changed.

A. Was now a servant of the Lord.

B. Was now a spokesman for the Lord.

2. His message had change

A. They must turn from sin.

B. They must turn to the Savior.

B. HE IS A COMMITTED MAN.

1. Without commitment his preaching would be powerless.

2. Without commitment his preaching would be pointless.

Never forget: You must be called by God and you must committed to the Gospel if you are to have an effective ministry.