Though Paul stood before a Roman tribunal in defense of his life, he seized the opportunity to tell both the court and his accusers what God had done for him and in him by his free and sovereign grace in Christ. In the thirty-two verses of this chapter, he describes himself, his life, his conversion, and his ministry. In doing so, he faithfully fulfilled his responsibility as Jehovah's servant (Isa. 44:8; Acts 1:8), preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified even to his captors. The preaching of the gospel always calls for sinners to become followers of Christ, trusting him as Lord and Savior. Agrippa understood that from Paul's words and said, after Paul had finished speaking, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." What did Paul tell Agrippa that so moved him?

First, THE APOSTLE TOLD AGRIPPA THAT HE HAD BEEN A LOST RELIGIOUS ZEALOT (vv. 1-11). He said, "After the most strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee" (v. 5). Saul of Tarsus never was a profligate, immoral person. He was from his youth an upright, religious man, a man of principle and integrity. Like the rich young ruler, he kept the law from his youth up. In so far as the letter of the law and its outward requirements were concerned, he was blameless (Phil. 3:4-6). Yet, he was lost! Unlike most religious people, Saul was a very zealous man. He was devoted. He studied the Scriptures with diligence. He talked about the things of God with zeal. He was wholehearted, earnest, and thoroughly committed. Saul of Tarsus never neglected the hour of prayer, the study of God's Word, or the house of God. So zealous was he in religion that, in accordance with Old Testament law, he persecuted those who followed Jesus of Nazareth relentlessly, believing them to be blasphemers. Saul was so zealous that most who truly worship God must blush with shame, when comparing themselves to him. Yet, he was lost! Moreover, Saul of Tarsus was thoroughly orthodox in his doctrine. This man was no scoffer, skeptic, or liberal. And he certainly was not an Arminian! Even before he was converted, he knew and embraced doctrinal truth (vv. 4-8). I do not mean to suggest that he had spiritual understanding. But his doctrine was basically orthodox. Saul was a Pharisee. He believed in divine election, divine sovereignty, absolute predestination, total depravity, the inspiration of Scripture, the resurrection of the dead, and even particular redemption. No Pharisee, or anyone else who understands the Old Testament sacrifices, ever dreamed of a universal atonement! Saul even looked for the Christ, believing all the Old Testament prophecies relating to him. His doctrine was right. Yet, he was lost! Saul believed in Christ as a matter of doctrine, but he did not know Christ. He believed all that the Bible said about Christ; but he did not know him (John 17:3). He was a lost religious zealot.

Secondly, AT GOD'S APPOINTED TIME, SAUL OF TARSUS WAS CONFRONTED, CONQUERED, AND CONVERTED BY THE GRACE AND POWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (vv. 12-15). There is a time of love appointed by God for the saving of each of his elect (Ezek. 16:8; Psa. 65:4; 110:3; Gal. 4:4-6). For Saul, the appointed time and place of mercy was when he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the saints of God there. Suddenly, the Son of God stepped into his life. He was not seeking the Lord; but the Lord sought him. He was not looking for grace; but grace looked for him. He did not find the Savior; but the Savior found him (Isa. 65:1; Acts 9:1-20; 22:6-21).

He was "in the way". Though he did not know it, Saul was in the way that would lead him to Christ, following a prearranged path, walking in a preordained way. Each of his steps were ordered by the Lord, predestinated and marked out before the world began (Prov. 16:9; Rom. 8:28).

Saul of Tarsus was an object of God's electing love. There were many travelling the Damascus road that day; but only one was called by God's effectual power and grace because only one had been chosen and redeemed. The irresistible grace and call came only to the chosen (Rom. 8:29-30; II Thess. 2:13-14).

The proud Pharisee was conquered and subdued by the revelation of Christ. The Lord Jesus met him in the way, revealed himself in him, and called him with a call he could not resist. He saw the Lord (v. 13), heard his voice (v. 14), and surrendered to his will (v. 15). All who are saved by God's grace are saved by the same sovereign intervention of God into their lives (Eph. 2:1-6; Gal. 1:15-16).

Thirdly, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF PUT PAUL INTO THE MINISTRY (vv. 16-18). God's preachers do not decide to go into the ministry and begin looking for a place to preach. Any man who goes looking for a place to preach will compromise to get it and compromise to keep it. God's preachers are made by God and put into the work of the ministry by him. Paul said, "I was made a minister" (Eph. 3:7-11). God's preachers are sent by God with a message to proclaim to men. As it was with Paul, so it is with all who are called of God to preach the gospel. Their message and their method is determined by God. Paul was required to preach what he had experienced, no more and no less (v. 16). It was his privilege and responsibility to carry the light of the gospel into a world of darkness and superstition (v. 18). The message he was sent to preach was clear and simple (v. 18). The Lord Jesus sent Paul to preach to sinners the forgiveness of sin by his blood (Eph. 1:6), the hope of eternal life by his grace (II Thess. 2:16), and sanctification (holiness) by faith in him (I Cor. 1:30).

Fourthly, PAUL WAS OBEDIENT TO HIS MASTER (vv. 19-23). Wherever he went, he preached the gospel to all, Jews and Gentiles. His message was always the same (I Cor. 2:2). He constantly preached repentance toward God (v. 20), redemption by Christ (v. 23), and the resurrection of the dead (v. 23). He preached the first resurrection, which is spiritual regeneration by the power and grace of God the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; 5:25; Rev. 20:6), and the resurrection of the body at the last day (John 5:28; I Thess. 4:13-18).

Fifthly, BEING CALLED OF GOD, PAUL WAS FAR MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOULS OF MEN AND THE GLORY OF GOD THAN HE WAS HIS OWN COMFORT AND WELFARE (vv. 24-32). He stands as a prisoner in chains before Festus and Agrippa. Yet, he is not seeking freedom, or even to prove his innocence. Paul's obvious intent in this defence of himself was to make Christ known to his captors. Read the chapter carefully. Throughout these verses, Paul was pointing Festus, Felix, Bernice, and his accusers to Christ as the Hope of Israel (v. 6), the crucified Savior (v. 9), the Light from Heaven (v. 13), the exalted Lord (vv. 13-15), the Head of the Church (v. 14), and the sovereign God (vv. 16-23). He told them that forgiveness, eternal life, repentance, redemption, sanctification, resurrection, and faith are all the gifts of God's free, saving grace in Christ. Festus considered him nothing but a madman (vv. 24-25). But Paul (vv. 26-32), sensing that he had gotten Agrippa's attention, pressed the claims of Christ upon him personally and urgently. Agrippa was according to his own words, "almost persuaded" to become a worshipper and follower of Christ - "Almost persuaded", but lost at last! Being reproved and instructed, Agrippa deliberately hardened his heart. Therefore, he perished. All who follow his example should tremble with fear (Prov. 29:1).

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