“‘The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.’“
Acts 26:4-11
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JUNE 17, 2025
Having followed along with Paul now for many weeks, we have seen him grow through many different stages of life. We’ve seen him as the great persecutor of the Christians, seen him converted by the risen Christ, and watched him set out to serve the Lord around the world. Now, we get to hear Paul summarize the high points of his life as he saw it himself.
What an interesting strategy Paul has. In just a few short minutes he gives a summary of his life in a nutshell, all of it for the glory of Christ and in service to his accusers and those presiding over him. Notably, Paul makes no effort to cast himself as the hero of the story. In fact, he quite clearly casts himself as the anti-hero. He doesn’t hesitate to show the darkest sides of his past. As one commentator put it:
“One of the extraordinary things about the great characters in the New Testament story is that they were never afraid to confess what once they had been. Here in the presence of the king, Paul frankly confesses that there was a day when he had tried to blast the Christians out of existence” (William Barclay, “Commentary on Acts 26:1–32,” William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible)
It’s obviously clear to Paul who the hero of his story is:
On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. (Acts 26:12-15)
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Why do you think Paul is unafraid to display his worst faults and greatest sins?
- How do you tell your story? Do you tend to hide either your strengths or your weaknesses?
- How has God been working you towards goodness over the years?
Church Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 22; Psalm 110-111