Sharing God’s Transformation

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 26:1-32

 

Acts 26:24-25

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.

(ESV)

 

The Apostle Paul has a passion to share Christ in whatever situation he finds himself in. When in prison, he would write letters to the Churches he established as a way of staying in touch that would become the epistles in the New Testament today. Now, imprisoned in Caesarea for his protection, the Apostle Paul could speak with King Agrippa.

 

While Paul Is in protective custody due to a plot to kill him (Acts 23:12-22), king Agrippa comes to Caesarea. Governor Festus takes the opportunity of the king’s visit to inform him of a prisoner he inherited from his predecessor, Felix (Acts 25:13-22). After king Agrippa agrees to hear Paul, Acts 26:1-32 is the account of Paul’s testimony before the king and shows us how one can share God’s transformation in their life without the need to have vast theological knowledge. 

 

Paul begins by telling the king he feels fortunate to share his defense with king Agrippa based on his familiarity with the customs and controversies of the Jews (Acts 26:1-3). He begins his defense by telling the king about his former manner of life before his conversion and how it is known by all the Jews (Acts 26:4). As a Pharisee, during his former manner of life, it would have been Paul making accusations and not the accused in the current situation (Acts 26:5-8). Formerly Paul was the persecutor, locking Christians up in jail, trying to get them to blaspheme (Acts 26:9-11).

 

However, a miraculous transformation has occurred in the life of Paul that began on his trip to Damascus to arrest believers in Christ, bringing them to Jerusalem for trial. Paul tells the king how he saw a light brighter than the sun and heard a voice that asked him why he was persecuting the Lord (Acts 26:12-14). Paul then asks the Lord for his ID and is told it is Jesus, the one he has been persecuting (Acts 26:15).  Scripture does not tell us how Paul may have felt at this time but he most likely felt as Peter did after denying Christ three times, wanting to weep bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). Paul may have felt God would reject him and that he would live out the remainder of his life in misery over what he had done but instead, Paul  received his calling from God (Acts 26:16-18). 

 

In light of the mercy he received from God, Paul is obedient to the vision God has given him, beginning his ministry for Christ in Damascus, then Jerusalem, then Judea, and then to the Gentiles urging people to repent and turn to God (Acts 26:19-20). It is this transformation from one persecuting believers in Jesus, and thus Jesus himself, to one following Jesus that led the Jews to seize Paul in the Temple (Acts 26:21).  Paul then tells the king all he has done is share what the prophets and Moses have said regarding how Christ must suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 26:22-23; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22).

 

At this Festus tells Paul he has lost his mind with Paul telling him that he has not lost his mind but speaks rational words because the king knows about what Paul speaks (Acts 26:24-26). Paul then boldly asks the king if he believes with the king asking Paul if in such a short time he would persuade King Agrippa to become a Christian (Acts 26:27-28). Paul then tells the king he hopes that all hearing him might become believers (Acts 26:29). Paul’s defense ends with king Agrippa, Governor Festus, and Bernice deciding that Paul has done nothing deserving death and that he could have gone free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:30-32).

 

Paul offers a defense to King Agrippa by testifying about the miraculous conversion he experienced on the road to Damascus. Paul could have offered the defense that he was obeying Jewish customs by fulfilling a vow in the Temple when seized by the Jews (Acts 21:27). Paul could have told the king that the Jews are just jealous of his popularity since receiving Christ but instead shares the very message of the Gospel that has placed the Jews at odds with him, claiming Jesus is the Christ. No matter what the circumstances Paul faces, he maintains his focus on sharing Christ and bring glory to his name.

 

Like the Apostle Paul, the Church must have a missional focus on its mission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Paul’s life after his conversion was a life lived with one purpose, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples. I pray the Church will catch the passion and vision of Paul, bringing Christ to a world in chaos. May God bless and challenge those reading this post.