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Acts 26

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.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

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.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

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.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

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.

For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

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:

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.

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

What does Acts 26:15 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 26:15 is an account of the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul) recounting his experience on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Jesus Christ.

In this dramatic moment, Saul, who had been actively persecuting Christians, is rendered temporarily blind by a divine light and falls to the ground.

He hears a voice questioning him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" When he asks who is speaking, the reply comes, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." In this verse, Jesus identifies himself with his followers, making it clear that to persecute them is to persecute Him.

This encounter is not only pivotal to Paul's personal transformation, from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Christ, but it also illustrates a profound theological truth about the unity of Christ with His church.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

During the first century AD, Christianity was seen as a sect within Judaism, and its rapid spread was often met with hostility.

Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, was a devout Jew and a Pharisee who initially sought to suppress the early Christian movement.

Acts 26 is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa II, where he narrates his conversion story, a transformative event that occurred around AD 34-37.

This context is crucial for understanding the verse because it highlights the radical change in Paul's life, which serves as a testament to the reality and power of the resurrection of Jesus.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Acts 26:15 underscores several key points:

The Divine Nature of Christ: Jesus speaks from heaven, indicating His divine authority and eternal existence.
The Unity of the Church with Christ: Jesus' identification with His persecuted followers reveals a mystical union between Him and the Church.
The Sovereignty of God: Paul's conversion illustrates God's ability to transform even the most unlikely individuals for His purposes.

Various denominations may emphasize different aspects of this encounter. Catholicism often highlights the nature of the Church as the Body of Christ. Protestant theology may focus on the transformative power of divine grace exemplified in Paul's experience.

Practical Applications

For contemporary believers, this verse inspires several practical applications:

Empathy towards persecuted Christians, realizing that Jesus identifies deeply with their suffering.
A call to radical transformation, showing that anyone, regardless of past actions, can be redeemed and used by God.
Encouragement for personal evangelism, imitating Paul's subsequent dedication to spreading the Gospel.

Cross-References

Acts 9:4-5 - Saul's initial encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
1 Corinthians 12:27 - Paul's later teaching on the Church as the Body of Christ.
Galatians 1:15-16 - Paul speaks of God revealing His Son in him.
Romans 12:4-5 - The interconnectedness of believers as one body in Christ.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "I am Jesus" is written as "ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς," with ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi) meaning "I am." This is a phrase often used to denote self-identification and carries divine implications elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Jesus' "I am" statements in John's Gospel).

The Greek word "διώκω" (dioko), translated as "persecutest," suggests a relentless pursuit in a hostile manner and can also mean "to pursue" in a positive sense, as in pursuing righteousness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The story of Paul's conversion bears superficial similarities to other religious and mythological conversion stories, wherein a dramatic event leads to a profound change of belief or direction in life.

However, the Christian claim is unique in its historical grounding and the deeply personal encounter between Jesus and an individual.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology might analyze Paul's experience in terms of a dramatic shift in belief systems, perhaps through a form of cognitive dissonance. Neurology might explore the role of visionary experiences in shaping human consciousness.

However, these scientific perspectives do not necessarily negate the historicity or spiritual significance of the event.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered various interpretations of this passage:

John Chrysostom emphasized the grace of Christ in reaching out to Paul despite his sins.
Martin Luther saw Paul's conversion as evidence of the power of God's Word to bring about radical change.
Modern scholars such as N.T.

Wright have noted that Paul's conversion fits within the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan revealed throughout Scripture.

Each perspective brings additional layers to the understanding of this pivotal moment in the spread of early Christianity and the life of one of its most influential apostles.

Acts 26

Acts 26

What does Acts 26:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 26:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?