Question 1

What was happening when Paul spoke to King Agrippa in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Paul was a prisoner, accused by some Jewish leaders of offenses they said deserved death. Before any final judgment, he was brought before King Agrippa to explain himself. Agrippa knew Jewish customs, so Paul was glad to speak to someone who could understand his background. In this setting, Paul did more than defend himself. He told his life story, described his strict Pharisee past, his meeting with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his God-given mission to preach repentance and resurrection hope to Jews and Gentiles.

Question 2

Why does Paul say he is judged for the hope of the promise made to the fathers?

Accepted Answer

Paul explains that the real reason he is on trial is his preaching about the hope God gave to Israel’s ancestors. This promise includes the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead. Paul says the twelve tribes serve God day and night hoping to reach this promise. By preaching that Jesus is the promised Christ who suffered, rose first from the dead, and brings light to Jews and Gentiles, Paul is standing on that same hope. His accusers oppose him, but he insists his message fits what God promised long ago.

Question 3

What does Paul mean by asking, “Why should it be thought incredible that God should raise the dead?”

Accepted Answer

Paul challenges Agrippa and the others to think about God’s power. If they believe in the living God who created and rules all things, then raising the dead should not sound impossible. Paul is saying that the resurrection is not a wild idea but fits with faith in an all-powerful God. He uses this question to move from general belief in God’s power to the specific claim that Jesus suffered, rose from the dead first, and brings light and salvation, which is the heart of the message he preaches.

Question 4

How did Paul describe his life before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus?

Accepted Answer

Paul says that from his youth he lived in Jerusalem and was known as a strict Pharisee, belonging to the most exact group in Jewish religion. Far from being neutral, he was fiercely against followers of Jesus. He imprisoned many believers with authority from the chief priests, voted against them when they were put to death, punished them in synagogues, tried to force them to blaspheme, and chased them even to foreign cities. He calls this being exceedingly mad against them, showing how far his zeal went before his conversion.

Question 5

What happened to Paul in the heavenly vision on the road to Damascus?

Accepted Answer

On the way to Damascus with authority to persecute Christians, Paul saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun at midday, surrounding him and his companions. They all fell to the ground, and Paul heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” When he asked who was speaking, the reply came, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” Jesus then told him to rise, stand on his feet, and explained He had appeared to make Paul a minister and witness of what he had seen and would yet see.

Question 6

What mission did Jesus give Paul according to this passage?

Accepted Answer

Jesus sent Paul to both his own people and the Gentiles with a clear purpose. Paul was to open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Through this turning, they would receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are made holy by faith in Jesus. Paul says he was not disobedient to this heavenly vision. He began preaching first in Damascus, then Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and then to the Gentiles that they should repent, turn to God, and do works that fit real repentance.

Question 7

What does it mean to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God here?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, darkness pictures life without the truth of Christ, under sin and spiritual bondage. Light pictures the knowledge of God and the new life that comes with faith in Jesus. The power of Satan describes the realm where sin and lies rule, while turning to God means coming under His rule, grace, and truth. When people’s eyes are opened and they turn from darkness to light and from Satan to God, they receive forgiveness of sins and share in the inheritance with all who are set apart by faith in Christ.

Question 8

Why did many Jews oppose Paul and try to kill him according to his own words?

Accepted Answer

Paul says that he preached that people must repent, turn to God, and do works that match real repentance. He also preached that Christ would suffer, rise from the dead first, and show light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. Because of this message, some Jews caught him in the temple and tried to kill him. They saw his preaching about Jesus as a threat. Yet Paul insists he is only saying what Moses and the prophets said would happen and that he continues by the help of God to witness to both small and great.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God’s character and plan?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as faithful to His promises and powerful over life and death. The hope of the promise to the fathers, including resurrection, is still active. God did not abandon His people but fulfilled His word in Christ, who suffered and rose again. God also shows mercy and power in changing Paul from a violent persecutor into a bold witness. The mission to open eyes and turn people from darkness to light shows God’s desire to forgive sins and give an inheritance to those made holy by faith in Jesus, from Israel and from the nations.

Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa

Cross References

Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Share Options

All Verses

Verse + Context

Current Verse

Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa

Cross References