Paul Before Agrippa

Acts chapter 26

     Paul tells his conversion experience to the king: "Then I asked, who are you, Lord?"

     I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (vv. 15-18).

(C)   1. The lost are blinded by Satan to reality of their fate and the truth of the gospel. Only preaching Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit will open their understanding.

2. "Turn them from the power of Satan to God." Those without Christ are under Satan's control (Eph. 2:2). Proclamation of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit will rescue men and women from the power of evil (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9).

3. That they may receive forgiveness of sins based on faith in Christ who sacrificed himself on the cross.

 4. Forgiven. Delivered. Baptized in the Spirit. Set apart from the world. Living unto God. Fellowship with all those saved by faith in Christ. 

5. That they prove their repentance by their deeds (v. 20).