If we talk about Acts 26 in detail,

Chapter 26 of Acts records Paul defending himself before the Roman governor Festus and the Jewish king Agrippa II. This chapter contains the longest and most detailed explanation of Paul's defense, and the story revolves around Paul's conversion and his mission.

Paul's defense (Acts 26)

1. Introduction: Talk to Agrippa (verses 1-3)
   • Paul says he is grateful to King Agrippa for the opportunity to hear his argument.
   • He knows that Agrippa is well versed in Jewish customs and arguments, and asks him to listen to him patiently.
2. Paul’s early life (verses 4-8)
   • Paul explains that he was born as a Jew, educated in Jerusalem, and as a Pharisee, he lived according to the strictest laws.
   • He emphasizes that he hopes for the promises God made to our ancestors.
   • He questions why belief in the resurrection of the dead is so reprehensible.
3. Paul’s time as a persecutor (verses 9-11)
   • Paul confesses that in the past, he considered it right to oppose the name of Jesus.
   • It is said that he imprisoned many believers, approved of them being put to death, and punished them in various synagogues, trying to get them to blaspheme Jesus.
   • They went not only to Jerusalem but also to foreign cities and persecuted the saints.
4. Conversion on the road to Damascus (verses 12-18)
   • Paul explains that on the way to Damascus, at midday, a light brighter than sunlight shone from the sky around him and his companions.
   • He is said to have heard a voice in Hebrew saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
   • That voice was Jesus, and Jesus told Paul to stand up on his feet and appointed him as an apostle to the Gentiles.
   • Paul is commanded to testify of what he has seen and heard, and to turn people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.
5. Paul’s Ministry (verses 19-23)
   • Paul tells King Agrippa that he did not disobey the vision he received from heaven.
   • He preached first to Damascus and Jerusalem, and then to the entire region of Judea and the Gentiles to repent, return to God, and perform deeds worthy of repentance.
   • Because of this, the Jews tried to kill him in the temple, but it is said that God helped him and he survived to this day and is testifying.
   • He claims to be speaking of what Moses and the prophets prophesied: Christ's suffering and resurrection from the dead to bring light to Jews and Gentiles.
6. Festus and Agrippa’s response (verses 24-32)
   • During Paul's argument, Festus loudly shouts that Paul is crazy and says that many studies have made him crazy.
   • Paul counters that he is not crazy and is speaking the truth.
   • He questions King Agrippa directly and asks if he believes in the prophets.
   • Agrippa responds to Paul, “With these few words you are trying to persuade me to become a Christian.”
   • Paul responds, whether in few words or in many words, that he wants not only himself but everyone to become Christians.
   • Later, Agrippa, Festus, and those who sat with them conclude that Paul had not committed a crime worthy of death or imprisonment.
   • Agrippa says that Paul could have been released if he had not appealed to the Roman emperor.

conclusion

Chapter 26 of Acts contains Paul's argument before King Agrippa and Governor Festus about his past, conversion, and ministry of spreading the gospel. Paul details his own conversion and mission, emphasizing the resurrection of Christ and his mission to spread the gospel. This chapter is an important record that strongly asserts the legitimacy of Paul's confession of faith and his ministry.

 

 

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