PAUL APPEARS BEFORE KING AGRIPPA

Acts 26:1-3 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 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: 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.

Realizing the inability to receive a fair trial from governors that ruled over the Jewish people of Judea, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar Augustus, the ruler of the Roman Empire. In order to send Paul before Caesar, Festus needed to draft a letter explaining the accusations that had been brought against him. Unable to find words to explain Paul's condemnation by the Jewish leaders, he hoped that king Agrippa II would assist him in formulating these charges, which would enable him to draft a letter to Caesar Augustus that would make a fair representation of the accusations that he could send with him to Rome.

Therefore, Paul was brought into the presence of king Agrippa II and was immediately asked to speak for thyself. Since Paul had already appealed to Caesar, he had no legal obligation to give any further account of, or to defend himself from the accusations made against him by the Jewish leaders. Here, as a matter of courtesy, he gives king Agrippa II a brief, but full account of, both his past as a devout Jew, and now as a believing, repentant follower of Christ. As was the custom of the day, Paul signified to his audience that he is about to speak by stretching forth the hand calling for silence so he may be heard. He begins with complimentary remarks for king Agrippa II, thanking him for the opportunity to answer for myself this day before thee; thanking him, that he could give answer for all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews; thankful that king Agrippa II had expert knowledge of all Jewish customs and questions.

Paul pleads with king Agrippa II that he would patiently listen to his defense. In the verses following the lesson text, we find his testimony. Paul affirms to all in his hearing, that his manner of life was completely known by all Jews. It was well known by all his accusers, if they would testify, that from his youth, Paul said he was a devout Jew from the straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee (Vss. 4-5). As a Pharisee, Paul was well educated in Jewish law and Old Testament prophecies, and believing fully in the resurrection and immortality of the souls of all mankind. And now, because of this belief, I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers (Vs. 6). For proof of these promises, see Gen. 12:18, 26:4, 49:10, Deut. 18:14, Isa. 17:14, 11:1-5, and numerous related accounts. And it is for this hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews (Vs. 7).

All Jews believed and accepted the Law of Moses and the prophets, and looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. However, they denied Jesus as being the Messiah, because they contended that He blasphemed God by confessing to be His Son, and, therefore, He was slain on the cross of Calvary. The fact that He arose from the dead, caused the majority of the Jews (the Sadducees), to reject Him even further because they believed not in the resurrection. They refused to believe in a risen Redeemer, rejected Christ Jesus as the Messiah, and condemned Paul for teaching this to be the true fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Paul then asked king Agrippa II, as well as all others assembled at this hearing, this rhetorical question: Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead (Vs. 8)? The fact Jesus Christ was resurrected from death was not being disputed by these Jewish accusers. And it was this act that was foretold by the prophets of old that proved He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Then why is it difficult to believe that God, our Creator, who resurrected Jesus, His Son, from death, and by this example, will resurrect the souls of all mankind on the Day of Judgment?

Paul confesses that, with his religious training under the most knowledgeable doctors of Jewish law, he should be chief among those that denied Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Vs. 9). He received authority from the chief priests, arrested and imprisoned many followers of Christ, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them (Vs. 10). He also punished them, ...compelled them to blaspheme, and ...persecuted them even unto strange cities (Vs. 11). Such was Paul's training and zealous commitment to the Jewish faith. How incredible it seemed to Paul to have those of like faith, at this time, seeking, and even demanding, his death.