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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 26:18 mean?

Explanation

Acts 26:18 is a verse from the Christian New Testament in which Jesus commissions Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) with a mission to the Gentiles.

The verse outlines the transformative power of the gospel and its effects on those who believe:

"To open their eyes" suggests a spiritual awakening, an illumination that allows individuals to see truth they were previously blind to. 2.

"And to turn them from darkness to light" emphasizes the conversion from ignorance and sin to understanding and righteousness. 3.

"And from the power of Satan unto God" indicates a shift in allegiance from being under the influence of evil to being under the protection and guidance of God. 4.

"That they may receive forgiveness of sins" promises that repentance leads to the absolution of wrongdoings. 5.

"And inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" assures believers of a place among those set apart (sanctified) by their faith in Jesus Christ, implying a spiritual inheritance that comes from being part of God’s chosen people.

The deeper meaning of the verse speaks to personal transformation through faith in Jesus, the power of redemption, and the transference from a state of lostness to one of salvation.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts is traditionally believed to have been written by Luke, a companion of Paul.

Acts 26 recounts Paul's defense before King Agrippa about his ministry and conversion experience.

During this time, Christianity was spreading amidst Jewish and Greco-Roman cultural influences.

Paul's mission to the Gentiles was radical because it broke from the Jewish tradition of a Messiah solely for the Jews and opened up the faith to non-Jewish peoples.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the verse is laden with Christian doctrine, including:

Conversion: The turning from sin to Christ.
Justification: The forgiveness of sins implying that one is made right with God.
Sanctification: The process of being made holy, set apart for God's purposes, and growing in faith.
Salvation: The end result of this process, which includes eternal life.

Different Christian denominations might emphasize various aspects, such as the role of grace, predestination in the process of sanctification, or the immediacy of transformation upon faith in Jesus.

Practical Applications

In modern Christian practice, this verse can be applied as a reminder of the transformative nature of faith:

Emphasis on evangelism: Encouraging believers to share their faith as a means to bring others out of spiritual darkness.
Call to personal repentance: A reminder to continually seek forgiveness and pursue a holy life.
Spiritual growth: Encouraging regular reflection on one’s faith journey and ongoing growth in the likeness of Christ.

Cross-References

Ephesians 5:8 - "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Colossians 1:13 - "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"

Language Study

"Open their eyes": Greek "ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς" relates to awareness and perception.
"Darkness to light": "σκότους εἰς φῶς" here contrasts spiritual ignorance with enlightenment.
"Power of Satan unto God": "ἐξουσίας Σατανᾶ εἰς Θεὸν" denotes a transfer of dominion and authority.
"Sanctified": "ἁγιασμένοις" signifies those who are made holy or set apart.
"Faith that is in me": "πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ" points out personal, trusting belief in Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The themes in Acts 26:18 of spiritual enlightenment and transitioning from darkness to light are common in many ancient religions and mythologies.

For example, the Platonic concept of the ascent of the soul and the Zoroastrian struggle between darkness (ignorance) and light (wisdom) share similarities with the Christian conversion narrative.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse is theological in nature and not concerned with empirical science, modern psychology might parallel the concept of "opening their eyes" with becoming cognizant of one's biases and behaviors.

Additionally, the metaphor of moving from darkness to light could be seen as an allegory for cognitive and emotional growth.

Commentaries

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible emphasizes the grace of God in the conversion of the Gentiles, opening their spiritual understanding and turning them from idolatry to serve the living God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary notes the Apostle Paul's commission to preach among the Gentiles for their conversion, which involves great changes signified by the terms "darkness to light" and "power of Satan unto God."
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the radical and thorough nature of conversion as Paul describes it, detailing a transformative experience that aligns one with God and away from evil forces.

Acts 26

Acts 26

What does Acts 26:18 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 26:18 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?