Sunday School Lessons: Acts 26

Lesson 29
Chapter 26

Today we will learn about what Paul said to Agrippa when he was given the opportunity.  Before we read it, remember that Paul is not on trial.  He is not making a defense for his actions.  He is declaring the Gospel.  Paul’s appearance before King Agrippa is the fulfillment of the prophecy that he would appear before kings and rulers.  As he stands before this King, it is important to remember that Paul has appealed to Caesar, therefore, the King has no authority over Paul, either to condemn him or to release him.

Let’s think back to chapter 25.  Who is present at this gathering?  What is the purpose of the gathering?  Who called for it?

Let’s take a moment and picture the scene:  This was an official, state gathering.  Read Acts 25:23.  The audience is made up of the rulers, leaders, and prominent people, dressed in their finest, surrounded by all the pomp and splendor of the Roman empire in that region.
Paul is brought into this great hall; a small Jewish man, dressed in prison clothing and chained between two soldiers. 

A writer put it this way, comparing Paul and Agrippa:

Agrippa and Paul.  What a contrast!  One of them is in purple, the other is in prison garb.  One is on a throne, the other is in shackles.  One wears a crown, the other is in chains.  Agrippa is a king, but in the slavery of sin.  Paul is a chained prisoner, rejoicing in the freedom of sins forgiven and liberty in Christ.  Agrippa is an earthly king who could not free Paul nor himself.  Paul is an ambassador of the King who had freed him and who could free Agrippa from the damning effects of sin.  J. Vernon McGee

Paul has appeared before the mob in Jerusalem, before the captain, before Felix, and then Festus.  This day he stands before Agrippa, a man who knows the Jewish land and wants to know about the Way.  This is Paul’s chance to present the gospel before kings.  Let’s read it all the way through, as if we were there, listening to Paul.

26:1 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul thanks Agrippa for the opportunity to speak in front of him, acknowledging that Agrippa is familiar with Jewish customs and controversies. He then tells about his past, before and after conversion, his missionary efforts, and his mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.  He describes his vision of Christ and then makes his appeal in verse 1: I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
In verse 22 he makes it clear that he is following God and that his message is consistant with the prophets and the law of Moses. Then in verse 23, he makes his Gospel statement.  Read vs. 23.  Do you remember how we have defined the Gospel?  Notice that Paul’s presentation of the Gospel doesn’t just speak of His death on the cross, but also His resurrection.  Paul never preaches the cross without the resurrection.  Neither should we.  As soon as Paul gets down to the essential Gospel message he is interrupted:

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”  29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

Notice that Paul answers Festus quickly and then returns to King Agrippa and makes his appeal to him.  What is Agrippa’s response?  Other translations say that Agrippa is “almost persuaded” to be a Christian.  Being almost persuaded about the truth of the Gospel is the same as being unpersuaded.  Either you believe in the Gospel and are saved or you don’t.  Either He is your savior, or He is not.  There is no in between.    Paul knows this.  He does not rejoice that Agrippa is willing to listen. He knows that he must believe—truly believe.  Paul’s greatest desire is for Agrippa and all who are present to believe the Gospel and be saved.

30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Read Romans 1:10-11.  Some people think that Paul made a mistake by appealing to Caesar.  But he knew that it was God’s will that he go to Rome.  He knows the way to Rome will be filled with trial and suffering, but he is ready to go.  His destiny is not in the hands of Festus or Agrippa or Caesar.  His destiny is in God’s hands.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.