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Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 26
AUV

Themes in Acts 26

Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So, Paul motioned [to the assembly] with his hand [for attention] and began speaking in his defense:

Acts 26:2

"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am able to defend myself before you concerning all the charges being brought against me by the Jews,

Acts 26:3

especially since you are an expert on all the customs and issues discussed among the Jews. So, for this reason I request that you hear [my response to them] patiently.

Acts 26:4

All the Jews know how I lived during my youth and my early days among [the people of] my nation, and [especially here] in Jerusalem.

Acts 26:5

They know of my early background; if they were willing to, they could testify that I lived as a [faithful] Pharisee, [which is] the strictest sect of our religion.

Acts 26:6

And now I am standing [here], being judged because [I believe that] God will fulfill the hope He promised to our forefathers.

Acts 26:7

This is the promise our twelve tribes [i.e., family groups], who earnestly serve God night and day, hope to see fulfilled. It is because [I advocate] this hope, O King, that I am being charged [with wrongdoing] by the Jews.

Acts 26:8

So, why should you [Jews] consider it incredible for God to raise the dead?

Acts 26:9

I truly thought within myself [that it was right] to do many things which were opposed to the name of Jesus from Nazareth.

Acts 26:10

So, I was doing this in Jerusalem, having received [my] authority from the leading priests. I both imprisoned many of the saints [i.e., God's holy people] and [even] voiced my approval when they were put to death [See 8:1].

Acts 26:11

I often persecuted them in the synagogues, [even] trying to get them to blaspheme [i.e., speak against God]. I had extreme anger toward them and [even] traveled to foreign cities [in my effort] to persecute them.

Acts 26:12

"While on a journey to Damascus for this purpose, I was acting under the authority and directive of the leading priests.

Acts 26:13

[Then] along the road, about noon, O King, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.

Acts 26:14

When we all fell to the ground I heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew [i.e., Aramaic] language. [It said], 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself by kicking against the spurs [i.e., opposing the work of God].'

Acts 26:15

I answered, 'Who are you, sir?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.

Acts 26:16

But, get up onto your feet, for the reason I have appeared to you is to appoint you a minister and witness of both the things you have [already] seen of me and the things I will [reveal when] appearing to you.

Acts 26:17

I will rescue you from the [Jewish] people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them,

Acts 26:18

to open their eyes [to the truth] so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power [i.e., the influence] of Satan to God. [Then] they can receive the forgiveness of sins and the inheritance [of never ending life], along with [all] those who are set apart [for God] by trusting in Me.'

Acts 26:19

"As a result of this, O King, I did not disobey [the mandate of] this vision from heaven

Acts 26:20

but, [instead] declared to the people of Damascus first, [then] to the people of Jerusalem, and [finally to those] throughout all of the district of Judea, as well as to the Gentiles [everywhere] that they should repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives] and turn to God, doing deeds which demonstrate their repentance.

Acts 26:21

For this reason the Jews grabbed me in the Temple and attempted to kill me.

Acts 26:22

But I obtained help from God and so [I am able to] stand here to this day, testifying to both the common people and to those in prominence. [I am] saying only what the prophets and Moses said would happen,

Acts 26:23

namely, that the Christ must suffer and be the first to rise from the dead [i.e., never to die again] and then proclaim the light [of the Gospel] to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles."

Acts 26:24

As Paul made his defense in this way, Festus said to him loudly, "Paul, you are crazy. All your education is driving you insane."

Acts 26:25

But Paul replied, "I am not crazy, Your Excellency Festus; I am [just] speaking a message of truth and sound reason.

Acts 26:26

I can speak boldly of these things because the King knows [they are true]. And I am convinced that none of these things are hidden from you, for none of them have been done in a corner [i.e., secretly].
No Themes for this verse.

Acts 26:27

King Agrippa, do you believe [the message of] the prophets? [Yes] I know you do."

Acts 26:28

Agrippa said to Paul, "You expect to persuade me to be a Christian with such little effort [or, in such a short time]?"

Acts 26:29

Paul replied, "I wish to God that, whether it would take a little or a lot, not only you, but all those who hear me today, might become [Christians] like me, except [not] with these chains."

Acts 26:30

Then King Agrippa, [his wife] Bernice, Governor [Festus] and [the commanders and leading men of the city, 25:23] all rose up,

Acts 26:31

and when they left [the room] they conferred with one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything deserving of the death penalty or [even] imprisonment."

Acts 26:32

Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed [his case] to Caesar."
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