Sunday Morning Bible Study: Acts 26 — Paul Before King Agrippa
- Ken Kalis
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
If you were called into court to prove you were a Christian, would you have enough evidence to convince the judge?
Would your testimony and lifestyle convince a jury of your peers?
Paul's testimony and missionary work left no doubt wherehe stood.
One day, Jesus said, every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.--Marrhew 12:36
Let's make our words count for Jesus and His kingdom. Learn how from Paul!
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Scripture Focus: Acts 26
Acts 26 records Paul’s powerful defense before King Agrippa. Paul is in chains — yet he is the freest person in the room.
He stands before rulers, governors, soldiers, skeptics, and critics, and he does what he has always done since Christ met him on the Damascus road: he bears witness to the risen Jesus.
1. Paul’s Respectful and Hope-Filled Defense (Acts 26:1–8)
Paul begins with calm dignity and respect — not bitterness, not fear.
“I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day…” (v. 2)
He affirms what every faithful Jew believed — the hope of resurrection.
“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (v. 8)
The resurrection was not a strange innovation — it was the very hope of Israel fulfilled in Christ.
Application: The Christian faith stands or falls on this one great truth — Jesus rose from the dead. Because of that, death does not have the last word over the believer.
2. Paul’s Honest Confession of His Past (Acts 26:9–11)
Paul does not sugar-coat his past.
He tells Agrippa plainly:
He persecuted Christians
He cast his vote against them
He compelled them to blaspheme
He was “exceedingly mad against them.
”
Paul is not boasting. He is magnifying grace.
Application: The gospel is not for the righteous, but for sinners. No one is beyond the reach of grace — and no one is beyond the need of it.
3. The Damascus Road — Christ Interrupts a Life (Acts 26:12–18)
Here is the heart of Paul’s testimony.
“I heard a voice speaking unto me… ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?’” (v. 14)
Then these beautiful words:
“I am Jesus.”
Jesus identifies Himself with His people — to persecute the church is to persecute Christ Himself.
Christ then gives Paul both salvation and a calling:
To open their eyes
To turn them from darkness to light
From the power of Satan unto God
That they may receive forgiveness of sins
And inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith
Application: Conversion is not turning over a new leaf — it is turning from darkness to light, from self-rule to Christ’s Lordship, from guilt to forgiveness.
4. Obedience to the Heavenly Vision (Acts 26:19–23)
Paul says:
“I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” (v. 19)
From that day forward:
He preached repentance
He preached faith
He preached Christ’s death and resurrection
He preached forgiveness of sins
And because of this — he stands in chains.
Application: Faithfulness to Christ may cost us something. For Paul, it cost his freedom. For many believers around the world, it costs far more. But Christ is worth it.
5. The Mixed Reactions — Festus, Agrippa, and the Unconverted (Acts 26:24–32)
Festus interrupts:
“Paul, thou art beside thyself!” (v. 24)
Agrippa responds:
“Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (v. 28)
Two very different reactions — yet both remain outside of Christ.
Almost persuaded — but lost.
Paul’s heart shines through:
“I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me… were both almost, and altogether such as I am — except these bonds.” (v. 29)
Paul prays for their salvation — even while they hold him prisoner.
Application: The gospel always demands a response. Hearing is not enough. Admiring Jesus is not enough. Being almost persuaded is not enough. We must believe.
Key Truths from Acts 26
The resurrection is the heart of Christian hope.
Salvation is God’s gracious interruption of our sinful course.
A true encounter with Christ leads to repentance and obedience.
The gospel is reasonable — yet it will be rejected by many.
“Almost persuaded” is the most tragic condition a soul can be in.
Questions for Reflection & Discussion
Why do you think Paul emphasized the resurrection so strongly?
How does Paul’s conversion encourage us not to give up on difficult people?
What does it mean to be “obedient to the heavenly vision” in our lives?
Have you ever been like Agrippa — almost persuaded? What makes the difference between almost and altogether?
How does Paul’s love for his accusers model Christ-like compassion?
Luke's history of the early church
A Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,We thank You that You met Paul on the road and turned his life from darkness to light. Open our eyes today, that we may see You clearly, trust You fully, and obey You faithfully. Keep us from being “almost persuaded.” Make us altogether Yours — in heart, soul, mind, and strength. Give us Paul’s courage and Paul’s compassion, and may the hope of the resurrection anchor our souls.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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1 “Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way;
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.”
2 “Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come.
3 “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded” doom comes at last!
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail,
“Almost,” but lost!
---P.P. Bliss, 1871
Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #275
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