ACTS 26 1-18

       BooK of Acts of the First Believers

                      (Paraphrased)

1 - King Agrippa then told Paul he could speak his defense, so Paul said, 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against the accusations of the leaders of my nation. 3 Especially as you are well acquainted with our customs and our controversies. Therefore, I ask you to patiently hear me. 4 The Jewish/Hebrew people all know the way I’ve lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my native land, and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, as a Pharisee. 6 And now it’s because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors, that I’m on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled! As we earnestly serve God day and night.”

     King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that I am being accused. 8 Why should anyone consider it unbelievable that God raises the dead? 9 Originally, I too was convinced that I should do all in my power to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did just that, by the authority of the chief priests, first in Jerusalem, I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, my vote was cast against them! (He watched over the coats of those who stoned Stephen.. “they laid their coats at the feet of one Saul:Paul of Tarsus..” Something more there than watching the coats?🤷🏼‍♀️)

     11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to the next to punish them with vengeance, and I tried to force them to recant and blaspheme. I was so obsessed, I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

     12 And on one such journey I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests/leaders. 13 And at about noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven. It was brighter than the sun! Blazing around us. 14 And we all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic (Hebrew dialect, not Greek which brought with it, its myths) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It’s hard for you to kick against the goads’ [kentron - sharp points]. {Ouch.}

     15 Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I’m Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he answered.

     16 ‘Now rise up, for I’ve appeared to you to appoint you as a servant, as a witness of what you have seen pf me, and what you will see. 17 I’ll rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles (those of the nations). I’m sending you 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light. And from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins [hamartia - missing the mark] and share in an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’”

{God is Life and “is perfect”. Top, and forever unbreakable law (in bible speak “iron rod”?) Life can only be Perfect.. But God did not opt for creating only an ant farm, so things are running their course. Jn.12:32, 1Tim.4:10..}

 🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

An ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study