Acts 26:1-11 – Paul shared his pre-conversion days

In Acts 26:1 Agrippa began by formally giving Paul permission to speak. Paul gestured to indicate that he was about to speak. He started by stating how he felt about facing Agrippa, whom he considered to be the right person to hear him out. For as a Jewish king who had lived a Roman lifestyle, Agrippa was familiar with Jewish custom and the point of the dispute between Paul and the Sanhedrin. And because of his Roman lifestyle, he was also aware of the legal side of being a Roman. Bear in mind that up till this point, Festus had found Paul innocent of the charges that were brought against him. The only one that he seemed to be unable to give his judgment was the one that Paul was purported to have taught against the Jewish law. Here Agrippa was in a better position to judge.

 

Paul began by talking about his pre-conversion days and his early upbringing. His contemporaries would know about this and could bear witness to it should they be called to do so. Paul said that he was so steeped and ingrained in Judaism, that as a Pharisee, he lived according to the strictest rule of that party. They believed in the resurrection of the dead, the hope of all Israel. This was a promise God made to their father of whom all Israel, all 12 tribes, had desired to realize. So they had tirelessly served God, day and night, expecting to attain this hope. And now absurdly, Paul was being accused by the Jews for the hope that they had all along looked forward to.

 

Paul’s belief in Jesus’ resurrection showed his faithfulness to Judaism. It was precisely in the Lord’s resurrection that the God-promised hope was fulfilled. Therefore, Paul was puzzled that the Jews should accuse him for his conviction in Jesus’ resurrection; seeing that in it God’s promised hope for Israel had been fulfilled. Turning to the crowd Paul asked why anyone of them should consider it odd that God should raise the dead. What Paul had in mind was Christ’s resurrection. 

 

In verses 9-11, the apostle than recollected his pre-conversion days. He was not only a strict Pharisee but also a persecutor of Christians. Like those Jews persecuting him now, he once felt that it was God’s will for him to oppose the name of Christ. He would imprison Christians, whom he referred to as saints here. And he even had an authorization letter from the chief priests to do so. When the Christians were being stoned to death, he was in total agreement.  His persecuting zeal saw him going to all synagogues, forcing the Christians to blaspheme so that he could punish them. His fervor against the Christians had reached a high peak. Enraged and obsessed, he would even hunt them down in cities outside of Jerusalem as well. This brought the city of Damascus to mind. It was the limit of all his persecutions and definitely the city where it all stopped for him.

In terms of his zeal in earlier Judaism, Paul had an A+ for his grade. But it was all a mistaken and misguided zeal. As a result, his sight of the heart of God was impeded. Haven’t we all at times held on to a mistaken zeal so obstinate that it also obstructs our ability to see the real side of God and His love? Is there one now that is inhibiting our growth and progress in God? The Lord wants to change us incrementally. Let us be open and allow His Spirit and His Word to renew our minds and transform our lives!