12 "While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests , 13 at midday e , O King , I saw on the way a light from heaven , brighter than the sun , shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground , I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect , 'Saul , Saul , why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads .' 15 "And I said , 'Who are You, Lord ?' And the Lord said , 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting . 16 'But get up and stand on your feet ; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen , but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles , to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God , that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
19 "So , King Agrippa , I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision , 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first , and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea , and even to the Gentiles , that they should repent and turn to God , performing deeds appropriate to repentance . 21 "For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death . 22 "So , having obtained help from God , I stand to this day testifying both to small and great , stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place ; 23 that the Christ was to suffer , and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles ."
24 While Paul was saying this in his defense , Festus said in a loud voice , "Paul , you are out of your mind ! Your great learning is driving you mad ." 25 But Paul said , "I am not out of my mind , most excellent Festus , but I utter words of sober truth . 26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence , since I am persuaded that none e of these things escape his notice ; for this has not been done in a corner . 27 "King Agrippa , do you believe the Prophets ? I know that you do ." 28 Agrippa replied to Paul , "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian ." 29 And Paul said, "I would wish to God , that whether in a short or long time , not only you, but also all who hear me this day , might become such as I am , except for these chains ." 30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice , and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside , they began talking to one another , saying , " This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment ." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus , "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 26:12-32
Commentary on Acts 26:12-23
(Read Acts 26:12-23)
Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his hope, and a good account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted.
Commentary on Acts 26:24-32
(Read Acts 26:24-32)
It becomes us, on all occasions, to speak the words of truth and soberness, and then we need not be troubled at the unjust censures of men. Active and laborious followers of the gospel often have been despised as dreamers or madmen, for believing such doctrines and such wonderful facts; and for attesting that the same faith and diligence, and an experience like their own, are necessary to all men, whatever their rank, in order to their salvation. But apostles and prophets, and the Son of God himself, were exposed to this charge; and none need be moved thereby, when Divine grace has made them wise unto salvation. Agrippa saw a great deal of reason for Christianity. His understanding and judgment were for the time convinced, but his heart was not changed. And his conduct and temper were widely different from the humility and spirituality of the gospel. Many are almost persuaded to be religious, who are not quite persuaded; they are under strong convictions of their duty, and of the excellence of the ways of God, yet do not pursue their convictions. Paul urged that it was the concern of every one to become a true Christian; that there is grace enough in Christ for all. He expressed his full conviction of the truth of the gospel, the absolute necessity of faith in Christ in order to salvation. Such salvation from such bondage, the gospel of Christ offers to the Gentiles; to a lost world. Yet it is with much difficulty that any person can be persuaded he needs a work of grace on his heart, like that which was needful for the conversion of the Gentiles. Let us beware of fatal hesitation in our own conduct; and recollect how far the being almost persuaded to be a Christian, is from being altogether such a one as every true believer is.