F.E. Marsh :: 298. Paul's Experience

ACTS 26:5-26

1. Conversion of Paul. The Apostle tells Agrippa what he was when in his natural state; namely, a self-righteous Pharisee (Acts 26:5), an opponent to Jesus (Acts 26:9), a persecutor of the saints (Acts 26:10), a misguided man in obeying the priests (Acts 26:10), an inflicter of punishment upon God’s people (Acts 26:11), an instrument in the hands of Satan in causing some of the disciples of Christ to blaspheme (Acts 26:11), and a fanatic, in that he was “exceedingly mad” in his unholy service (Acts 26:11); but a vision of Christ in His holiness caused him to see his sinfulness. It was Paul’s obedience to the heavenly vision that was the pivot upon which the persecutor became the pleader with God and men (Acts 26:19).
2. Commission of Paul. Being saved through Christ he was next sent by Christ to preach the Gospel. We are saved to serve, we do not serve to be saved. Paul was sent to accomplish a fivefold purpose in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 26:18).
   • Revelation. “Open their eyes.”
   • Repentance. “Turn from darkness to light.”
   • Release. “From the power of Satan unto God.”
   • Remission. “Receive forgiveness of sins.”
   • Riches. “Inheritance.”
   All these blessings are bestowed upon those who have faith in Christ.
3. Consecration of Paul. “I was not disobedient,” &c. (Acts 26:19). Obedience is the law of the Kingdom of Grace.
4. Continuance of Paul (Acts 26:22). The Apostle tells us the secret of his continuance: it was because he obtained (not attained) help from God. Obtainment is the secret of attainment. Mark that the Apostle obtained help for a specific object, viz., that he might witness to and of the things in the Scriptures.
5. Creed of Paul (Acts 26:23). He believed in the sufferings of Christ for the sins of man, and in the resurrection of Christ for the justification of the believer (Rom. 4:25).
6. Calmness of Paul (Acts 26:25). Festus thinks that Paul is mad as he listens to the earnest and burning words which fall from his lips, and tells him so; but, as the Apostle says, he is perfectly cool and calm, and speaks forth “the words of truth and soberness.”
7. Courage of Paul (Acts 26:26). The Apostle does not hesitate to tell King Agrippa that he knew what he was speaking about, and then begins to put pointed questions to him. Courage is one of the fruits of the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).