19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to wthe heavenly vision, 20but declared first xto those in Damascus, ythen in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also zto the Gentiles, that they should arepent and bturn to God, performing deeds cin keeping with their repentance. 21For this reason dthe Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22eTo this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so fI stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what gthe prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23hthat the Christ imust suffer and that, jby being the first kto rise from the dead, lhe would proclaim mlight both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, nyou are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, omost excellent Festus, but I am speaking ptrue and qrational words. 26For rthe king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be sa Christian?”2 29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day tmight become such as I am—except for uthese chains.”
30Then the king rose, and vthe governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, w“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, x“This man could have been set yfree if he had not appealed zto Caesar.”
Footnotes
- 2 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
Preaching the Gospel from Acts
Acts 25:23–26:32 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 54:59 • ID: 0157Persuasive Preaching — Part Two
Acts 26:1–32 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 1:05:45 • ID: 2683For the Sake of the Gospel, Volume 2
Acts 25:1–27, Acts 26:1–32, Acts 27:1–44, Acts 28:1–31 Series • ID: 25205Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.