In Acts 26, Paul stood before King Agrippa giving his testimony, but his words don’t just speak to King Agrippa. They speak to us as well. We can learn a lot from Paul, as we can many other individuals in the Bible. So today I’m listing 4 parts of Paul’s speech we can learn from.
- Life before Christ
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. – Acts 26:4-5
In every appearance, Saul (Paul) was a religious man, following Jewish rituals and beliefs, knowledgeable in the law, and highly revered. But he lacked an important element in his life: Christ.
We can go to church, follow all the rules to the best of our ability, and know the Bible like the back of our hand, but that’s not enough to save us. In fact, Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). All the rules aren’t enough if we haven’t accepted God’s gift: His Son.
- Condition before Christ
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. – Acts 26:10-11
Paul committed many horrors against Christians. Acts 7:58 and Acts 8:1 state that Paul was present when Stephen was stoned. Acts 8:3 states Paul hauled men and women to jail for their faith. Acts 9:1 states that Paul threatened Christ’s disciples. In fact, when he was saved, he was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians. But even though he’d done all these things, he wasn’t too far gone for God. Christ can save the most wretched of sinners.
Satan will try to tell us otherwise. He’ll try to say we’re too far gone. But we are never too far gone for Christ’s love as long as we’re on this earth.
- Salvation experience
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.
– Acts 26:13-15
He was drawn by Christ. (No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6) No matter how much he followed Jewish laws and customs, it wasn’t enough. Because, as stated earlier, salvation isn’t won through works or following a set of rules. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. When Saul realized it was Jesus speaking, that Jesus was the Son of God and acknowledged Him (see Acts 9:6), then was he saved (Romans 10:9).
- How God used Paul
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. – Acts 26:19-20
God can use anyone in mighty ways. We are all called to spread the Gospel, and He’s given us not only the ability to do so but the tools. The main tool we have is the Bible. And that Bible tells us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15b).
Paul is a good example of this. He allowed himself to be used by God in mighty ways, and he took the need to spread the Gospel seriously. A lot of us today are afraid of offending someone. Yet Paul was thrown in prison but still preached the Gospel. And that’s something to think about.
What else can we learn from Paul’s life? I’ll have Part Two next week, but if you think there’s something I’ve missed, let me know!
