Hechos 26

1 Y Agripa dijo a Pablo: Se te permite hablar en tu favor. Entonces Pablo, extendiendo la mano, comenzó su defensa:

2 Con respecto a todo aquello de que los judíos me acusan, me considero afortunado, oh rey Agripa, de poder presentar hoy mi defensa delante de ti,

3 sobre todo, porque eres experto en todas las costumbres y controversias entre los judíos; por lo cual te ruego que me escuches con paciencia.

4 Pues bien, todos los judíos conocen mi vida desde mi juventud, que desde el principio transcurrió entre los de mi pueblo y en Jerusalén;

5 puesto que ellos han sabido de mí desde hace mucho tiempo, si están dispuestos a testificar, que viví como fariseo, de acuerdo con la secta más estricta de nuestra religión.

6 Y ahora soy sometido a juicio por la esperanza de la promesa hecha por Dios a nuestros padres:

7 que nuestras doce tribus esperan alcanzar al servir fielmente a Dios noche y día. Y por esta esperanza, oh rey, soy acusado por los judíos.

8 ¿Por qué se considera increíble entre vosotros que Dios resucite a los muertos?

9 Yo ciertamente había creído que debía hacer muchos males en contra del nombre de Jesús de Nazaret.

10 Y esto es precisamente lo que hice en Jerusalén; no sólo encerré en cárceles a muchos de los santos con la autoridad recibida de los principales sacerdotes, sino que también, cuando eran condenados a muerte, yo daba mi voto contra ellos.

11 Y castigándolos con frecuencia en todas las sinagogas, procuraba obligarlos a blasfemar; y locamente enfurecido contra ellos, seguía persiguiéndolos aun hasta en las ciudades extranjeras.

12 Ocupado en esto, cuando iba para Damasco con autoridad y comisión de los principales sacerdotes,

13 al mediodía, oh rey, yendo de camino, vi una luz procedente del cielo más brillante que el sol, que resplandecía en torno mío y de los que viajaban conmigo.

14 Y después de que todos caímos al suelo, oí una voz que me decía en el idioma hebreo: "Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues? Dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón."

15 Yo entonces dije: "¿Quién eres, Señor?" Y el Señor dijo: "Yo soy Jesús a quien tú persigues.

16 "Pero levántate y ponte en pie; porque te he aparecido con el fin de designarte como ministro y testigo, no sólo de las cosas que has visto, sino también de aquellas en que me apareceré a ti;

17 librándote del pueblo judío y de los gentiles, a los cuales yo te envío,

18 para que abras sus ojos a fin de que se vuelvan de la oscuridad a la luz, y del dominio de Satanás a Dios, para que reciban, por la fe en mí, el perdón de pecados y herencia entre los que han sido santificados."

19 Por consiguiente, oh rey Agripa, no fui desobediente a la visión celestial,

20 sino que anunciaba, primeramente a los que estaban en Damasco y también en Jerusalén, y después por toda la región de Judea, y aun a los gentiles, que debían arrepentirse y volverse a Dios, haciendo obras dignas de arrepentimiento.

21 Por esta causa, algunos judíos me prendieron en el templo y trataron de matarme.

22 Así que habiendo recibido ayuda de Dios, continúo hasta este día testificando tanto a pequeños como a grandes, no declarando más que lo que los profetas y Moisés dijeron que sucedería:

23 que el Cristo había de padecer, y que por motivo de su resurrección de entre los muertos, El debía ser el primero en proclamar luz tanto al pueblo judío como a los gentiles.

24 Mientras Pablo decía esto en su defensa, Festo dijo<***> a gran voz: ¡Pablo, estás loco! ¡Tu mucho saber te está haciendo perder la cabeza!

25 Mas Pablo dijo<***>: No estoy loco, excelentísimo Festo, sino que hablo palabras de verdad y de cordura.

26 Porque el rey entiende estas cosas, y también le hablo con confianza, porque estoy persuadido de que él no ignora nada de esto; pues esto no se ha hecho en secreto.

27 Rey Agripa, ¿crees en los profetas? Yo sé que crees.

28 Y Agripa respondió a Pablo: En poco tiempo me persuadirás a que me haga cristiano.

29 Y Pablo dijo: Quisiera Dios que, ya fuera en poco tiempo o en mucho, no sólo tú, sino también todos los que hoy me oyen, llegaran a ser tal como yo soy, a excepción de estas cadenas.

30 Entonces el rey, el gobernador, Berenice y los que estaban sentados con ellos se levantaron,

31 y mientras se retiraban, hablaban entre ellos, diciendo: Este hombre no ha hecho<***> nada que merezca muerte o prisión.

32 Y Agripa dijo a Festo: Podría ser puesto en libertad este hombre, si no hubiera apelado al César.

Hechos 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

Paul's defence before Agrippa. (1-11) His conversion and preaching to the Gentiles. (12-23) Festus and Agrippa convinced of Paul's innocence. (24-32)

Verses 1-11 Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, and also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah. Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul professes that he still kept to all the good in which he was first educated and trained up. See here what his religion was. He was a moralist, a man of virtue, and had not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous Pharisees; he was not chargeable with any open vice and profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He always had a holy regard for the ancient promise made of God unto the fathers, and built his hope upon it. The apostle knew very well that all this would not justify him before God, yet he knew it was for his reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not such a man as they represented him to be. Though he counted this but loss, that he might win Christ, yet he mentioned it when it might serve to honour Christ. See here what Paul's religion is; he has not such zeal for the ceremonial law as he had in his youth; the sacrifices and offerings appointed by that, are done away by the great Sacrifice which they typified. Of the ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, and thinks the Levitical priesthood is done away in the priesthood of Christ; but, as to the main principles of his religion, he is as zealous as ever. Christ and heaven, are the two great doctrines of the gospel; that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. These are the matter of the promise made unto the fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious duties, day and night, was kept up as the profession of faith in the promise of eternal life, and in expectation of it. The prospect of eternal life should engage us to be diligent and stedfast in all religious exercises. Yet the Sadducees hated Paul for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jews joined them, because he testified that Jesus was risen, and was the promised Redeemer of Israel. Many things are thought to be beyond belief, only because the infinite nature and perfections of Him that has revealed, performed, or promised them, are overlooked. Paul acknowledged, that while he continued a Pharisee, he was a bitter enemy to Christianity. This was his character and manner of life in the beginning of his time; and there was every thing to hinder his being a Christian. Those who have been most strict in their conduct before conversion, will afterwards see abundant reason for humbling themselves, even on account of things which they then thought ought to have been done.

Verses 12-23 Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his hope, and a good account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted.

Verses 24-32 It becomes us, on all occasions, to speak the words of truth and soberness, and then we need not be troubled at the unjust censures of men. Active and laborious followers of the gospel often have been despised as dreamers or madmen, for believing such doctrines and such wonderful facts; and for attesting that the same faith and diligence, and an experience like their own, are necessary to all men, whatever their rank, in order to their salvation. But apostles and prophets, and the Son of God himself, were exposed to this charge; and none need be moved thereby, when Divine grace has made them wise unto salvation. Agrippa saw a great deal of reason for Christianity. His understanding and judgment were for the time convinced, but his heart was not changed. And his conduct and temper were widely different from the humility and spirituality of the gospel. Many are almost persuaded to be religious, who are not quite persuaded; they are under strong convictions of their duty, and of the excellence of the ways of God, yet do not pursue their convictions. Paul urged that it was the concern of every one to become a true Christian; that there is grace enough in Christ for all. He expressed his full conviction of the truth of the gospel, the absolute necessity of faith in Christ in order to salvation. Such salvation from such bondage, the gospel of Christ offers to the Gentiles; to a lost world. Yet it is with much difficulty that any person can be persuaded he needs a work of grace on his heart, like that which was needful for the conversion of the Gentiles. Let us beware of fatal hesitation in our own conduct; and recollect how far the being almost persuaded to be a Christian, is from being altogether such a one as every true believer is.