OBEDIENT TO THE HEAVENLY VISION

Passage: Acts 26:19-32

Key verse: 19

NIV

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(A) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(B) then to those in Jerusalem(C) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(D) I preached that they should repent(E) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(F) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(G) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(H) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(I)— 23 that the Messiah would suffer(J) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(K) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(L)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(M) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(N) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(O) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(P) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(Q)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(R)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(S) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(T)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(U) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(V)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to (A)the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first (B)to those in Damascus, (C)then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also (D)to the Gentiles, that they should (E)repent and (F)turn to God, performing deeds (G)in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason (H)the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 (I)To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so (J)I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what (K)the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 (L)that the Christ (M)must suffer and that, (N)by being the first (O)to rise from the dead, (P)he would proclaim (Q)light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (R)you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, (S)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking (T)true and (U)rational words. 26 For (V)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. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be (W)a Christian?”[a] 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day (X)might become such as I am—except for (Y)these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and (Z)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, (AA)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, (AB)“This man could have been set (AC)free if he had not appealed (AD)to Caesar.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. All men should repent and turn to God (19-23)

Paul continued his testimony to King Agrippa: 'I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.' He preached to Jew and Gentile that men should repent and turn to God. This is why the Jews tried to kill him. They did not want to repent; they did not like Gentiles. Paul discovered that the Bible taught that Christ must suffer and rise from death, and that this gospel must be proclaimed to everyone, including the Gentiles. Paul was not disobedient to the vision God had given him.

2. Except for these chains (24-32)

Festus, who was listening, became uncomfortable when Paul talked about repenting, but Paul knew that to repent and be forgiven through Jesus was God's best blessing--better than being a king. He had a compassionate heart for the poor king who was enslaved by sin. King Agrippa did not repent, but he was moved. He knew that Paul was innocent of any crime--and he knew that he was a sinner.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see all people as sinners in need of Jesus--just like me. Help me to be obedient to the heavenly vision.

One Word: Be obedient to share Jesus with everyone