PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA: Adam Zamora | Series: THE GREATEST EVANGELISTIC MESSAGES IN THE BIBLE

Paul stands before King Agrippa as a man carrying a new way of life into an old world. Agrippa and the Herodian line represent political power, religious tradition, earthly authority, and all the influence that comes with it. Paul represents the gospel of Jesus Christ, the message that Jesus died for sins, was buried, rose again, and gives forgiveness, change, and eternal hope to those who believe.

The manners of the men in the courtroom reveal something important about Christian witness. Festus shows dignity to Agrippa even though he holds the real Roman authority in Caesarea. Paul shows dignity to Agrippa, despite Agrippa's vile character and sinful relationship with Bernice. Paul even calls Festus “most noble Festus” after Festus says Paul is mad. Christianity does not require disrespect toward earthly rulers, because the believer’s ultimate citizenship is in a kingdom not of this world.

Paul’s defense becomes a clear testimony of the gospel. Paul does not hide his past as a Pharisee, a defender of Jewish tradition, and a persecutor of Christians. Paul admits that he compelled believers to blaspheme and gave his voice against those put to death. Christ meets that violent man on the Damascus road and says, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Paul’s conversion proves that no past is too dark for the grace of Jesus Christ.

The resurrection stands at the center of Paul’s hope. Paul is not merely defending a religious opinion. Paul is declaring that Jesus is the first fruits of them that slept, the risen Savior who guarantees resurrection and eternal life for His people. Paul keeps returning to where it all began because remembrance of salvation stirs up a believer whose fervor has grown lukewarm.

Paul then brings Agrippa to a point of decision. Agrippa knows the prophets, knows the claims surrounding Jesus, and knows Christianity did not happen “in a corner.” Agrippa’s answer, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” carries the tragedy of being close to truth without receiving it. Almost persuaded is still lost, because life is but a vapor.

The mission of Christianity remains the same: witness to both small and great. The gospel is for kings and prisoners, rich and poor, Republicans and Democrats, people of every creed and color. Christ sends His people to open eyes, turn sinners from darkness to light, release them from Satan’s power, grant forgiveness of sins, and give an inheritance among those sanctified by faith. A church must not become a monument to itself. Christ calls His church to keep moving forward so that people may hear the gospel and be changed.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Manners can display heavenly citizenship. Paul speaks respectfully to Agrippa and Festus without softening the truth. Christian dignity does not mean agreement with corrupt leadership or silence about biblical convictions. Heavenly citizenship changes the way believers speak because Christ remains Lord over every earthly power. [18:15]
• 2. The resurrection makes the gospel hopeful. Paul anchors his defense in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not in personal preference or political reform. Christ’s resurrection means death does not have the final word over those who belong to Him. The promised inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and reserved in heaven. [21:55]
• 3. Grace reaches the worst past. Paul does not edit his history as a persecutor of Christians, because Christ’s mercy shines brighter against that darkness. The Damascus road shows that Jesus confronts sinners personally and brings them to surrender. A believer’s past can become a testimony to the power of Christ rather than a prison of shame. [24:49]
• 4. Almost persuaded is still unsaved. Agrippa hears the truth, understands the background, and stands near a decision, yet he remains only almost persuaded. Delay is dangerous because life is a vapor and tomorrow is not promised. The gospel calls for more than information about Jesus; it calls for faith in Jesus. [29:15]
• 5. The gospel changes people completely. Christ sends His servants to proclaim a gospel that opens blind eyes, turns darkness to light, and frees people from Satan’s power. Forgiveness means God has let go of sin fully, even when old guilt still tries to speak. Salvation also gives a lively hope that reaches beyond the troubles of the present world. [35:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:39] - An Old World Meets a New Gospel
• [08:23] - Four Truths From Paul Before Agrippa
• [11:33] - Festus Seeks Agrippa’s Counsel
• [14:12] - Great Pomp in Caesarea
• [15:04] - Paul Addresses Agrippa With Dignity
• [17:29] - Heavenly Citizenship and Political Manners
• [20:41] - Paul’s Pharisee Past
• [21:23] - The Hope of the Resurrection
• [23:28] - Paul the Persecutor
• [24:49] - Paul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road
• [28:08] - Almost Persuaded to Be a Christian
• [31:36] - Witnessing to Small and Great
• [35:14] - What the Gospel Does
• [44:50] - The Church Must Reach the World
• [47:33] - Do Not Remain Almost Persuaded

Bible Reading

Acts 26:1-29
“So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 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.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” [04:21]

Acts 26:18
“to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” [35:14]

James 4:14
“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” [30:03]

Observation questions

1. In Acts 26:1–8, how does Paul begin his defense before Agrippa, and what hope does he say is at the center of the charges against him? [21:23]
2. What details does Paul include about his life before meeting Christ, including the way he treated believers? [23:35]
3. In Acts 26:12–18, what does Jesus say Paul is being sent to do for others? [35:24]
4. How do Festus and Agrippa respond to Paul’s message, and how does Paul answer them? [28:08]

Interpretation questions

1. Paul speaks respectfully to Agrippa and Festus, even though both men are corrupt and one calls him mad. How does Paul’s manner show that respectful speech and clear biblical conviction can go together? [16:36]
2. Why is the resurrection so important to Paul’s defense? What would be missing from the Christian message if Jesus had not risen from the dead? [21:28]
3. Paul does not hide his past as a persecutor of Christians. Why can an honest testimony about sin and grace be more powerful than trying to appear morally impressive? [25:53]
4. Agrippa had knowledge of the prophets, Jesus, and the Christian message, yet he remained “almost” persuaded. What is the difference between knowing facts about Jesus and personally trusting Jesus? [30:03]

Application questions

1. When political leaders, public figures, or people with opposing views frustrate you, what does your speech about them reveal about your heavenly citizenship? Is there a habit of disrespectful speech that needs to change? [17:30]
2. Paul remembered where Christ found him and what Christ had done for him. When your love for God feels weak or your faith feels routine, how could remembering your salvation help stir your heart again? [26:11]
3. Is there any part of your past that still makes you feel disqualified, ashamed, or beyond usefulness to God? How does Paul’s conversion encourage you to see that Christ’s grace is greater than your past? [24:49]
4. Paul used a prison, a courtroom, and an audience with a king as opportunities to speak about Christ. What ordinary place or relationship has God already given you where you could naturally and respectfully point someone to Jesus? [30:52]
5. Is there someone in your life who is close to the gospel but seems to be delaying a response to Christ? What would it look like to pray for them and lovingly help them consider Jesus personally rather than merely giving them information? [31:20]
6. Acts 26:18 describes the gospel as bringing people from darkness to light, from Satan’s power to God, into forgiveness and an inheritance. Which part of that gospel change gives you the greatest hope right now, and why? [42:13]
7. The gospel is for both small and great, for people from every background and political viewpoint. Are there people you are tempted to overlook, avoid, or assume would not be interested in Christ? How can you take one practical step toward seeing them as someone Christ calls you to love and reach? [31:51]