Almost Persuaded

Agrippa told Paul he could speak for himself, and Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense. All knew he had lived as a Pharisee, the strictest sect of their religion. Now he was judged for the hope of the promise made by God to the fathers. "Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?"

Paul confessed he had once thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He had shut up many saints in prisons with authority from the chief priests. Traveling to Damascus at midday, he saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around him and his companions. They all fell to the earth, and he heard a voice in the Hebrew language: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." He told Paul to stand, for he had appeared to appoint him a servant and a witness. He would send Paul to open eyes, that people might turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, and receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Jesus. Paul obeyed the heavenly vision and told people everywhere to repent and turn to God. Having obtained help from God, he still testified to small and great that the Christ must suffer and, by rising from the dead, proclaim light to the people and to the Gentiles.

Festus said Paul's learning was driving him insane. Paul answered that he was not crazy. The king knew these things, for they were not done in a corner. "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." Agrippa asked whether with a little persuasion Paul was trying to make him a Christian. Paul prayed that whether with little or with much, all who heard him might become such as he was, except for these bonds. The rulers agreed that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or of bonds.