In a large room where many important people were gathered, Paul stood. He was very brave, and he told King Agrippa and all the others why he believed in Jesus and was so happy to speak of Him. Paul was once a man who did not like Christians and hurt them. But then he experienced something very special that changed his life.
Paul began his story: “One day I went to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Suddenly, at noon, a bright light shone from the sky, brighter than the sun. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
Paul went on to explain that he asked who was speaking to him, and the voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute.” That was a big shock for Paul. Jesus, who spoke to him, was the Son of God, who had come to save and love people.
Jesus said to Paul: “Get up! I have a special assignment for you. You should tell people about me, lead them into the light and help them find God’s forgiveness.” Paul obeyed Jesus and changed his life. From that day on, Paul spread the good news about Jesus and His love everywhere.
While Paul spoke, King Agrippa listened attentively. Paul said, “King Agrippa, I speak the truth. I tell you about what I have seen and experienced, because Jesus changed many lives, including mine. Everyone who believes in Him will find new life!”
Paul wanted all people, including King Agrippa, to know about God’s great love and grace. He remained courageous and joyful, even if some did not understand him or did not believe him.
Message of history
God can change any heart, and it is important to be courageous and joyfully share God’s love with others.
Bible passage
The story in which Paul tells King Agrippa about Jesus is found in Acts 26:1-29. Here is the relevant passage from the Schlachter 2000 translation:
“And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘It is lawful for you to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and defended himself thus: 2 I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, to be able to answer to you today for all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are a connoisseur of all customs and controversies among the Jews. So I ask you to listen to me patiently. 4 My life, then, from my youth, as it has been from the beginning among my people in Jerusalem, is known to all Jews. 5 They know me from the past (if they would testify) that I lived according to the strictest direction of our religion, as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here in judgment because of the hope of the promise that came from God to the fathers; 7 so that our twelve-born people serve God night and day with perseverance. Because of this hope, O King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews! 8 Why do you think it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 Although I myself felt that I had to do much hostility against the name of Jesus the Nazarene, 10 which I did in Jerusalem. I have imprisoned many of this saint, because I had received authority from the chief priests; and if they were to be killed, I would vote for them. 11 And in all the synagogues I often sought to punish them, and to compel them to blaspheme; and in excessive rage against them I pursued them even into the foreign cities. 12 When I was traveling to Damascus with authority and permission from the chief priests, 13 I saw in the middle of the day, O king, a light from heaven on the way, brighter than the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. 14 As we were all falling to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me, saying in Hebrew, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” It will be difficult for you to strike against the sting! 15 But I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” 16 But stand up and stand on your feet. For for this purpose I have appeared to you, that I may appoint you to be a servant and a witness of what you have seen, and of what I shall yet reveal myself to you. 17 And I will deliver you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I am now sending you, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in me. 19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the heavenly vision, 20 but first proclaimed to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works worthy of repentance. 21 So the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Now that I have received help from God, I stand to this day, testifying to small and great nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 namely, that Christ must suffer, that he will be the first to preach a light to the people and to the nations through the resurrection from the dead.”
