Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak, so Paul made his defense against the Jews’ accusation. Paul’s manner of life was known to the Jews – he had lived as a Pharisee – but now he’s on trial because his hope is in the promise made by God to the Jews’ fathers. Why is it thought incredible that God raises the dead? Paul opposed Jesus of Nazareth and imprisoned and voted to kill Christians. He tried to make them blaspheme. Paul recounted his conversion to Christ again, and how he would go to the Gentiles so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ. Paul first declared to those in Damascus, then Jerusalem, and to the Gentiles to repent. This is why the Jews seized and tried to kill him. Jesus fulfills Moses’ words. Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” Paul said he is speaking true and rational words, and that the king knows about these things. Paul said to King Agrippa, “Do you believe the prophets?” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains.” The king rose and those sitting with him decided Paul had done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment, saying to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
God was working in the heart of Agrippa, and he would have let Paul go, but Paul appealed to Caesar. Paul takes up his case to the highest power possible. He knows he can be courageous and to trust God. Also, he knows that God has promised that he (Paul) will make it to Rome. In Paul we see Jesus’ exhortation, “do not fear those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” (Matthew 10:28; cf. Luke 12:4-5) We have nothing to fear because we have Christ. Boldly share about Jesus, and trust that God will powerfully use His Word, even if it means trials and hardship for ourselves here and now. Also, Paul affirms Jesus’ teaching about himself in Luke 24:44-47 – “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” In essence, the entire Old Testament is about Jesus Christ. Even as Paul says here that Moses and the prophets taught that Jesus must suffer, and proclaim light to the Jews and Gentiles by being raised from the dead. So, even as we read the Old Testament we see the promise of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament we see the fulfillment of that promise, and as we wait for Christ’s final return we preach the good news of God’s promise made and fulfilled. In the death and resurrection of Christ we see the cornerstone that the weight of the entire Bible rests upon, Jesus Christ. There is hope for salvation from God’s eternal wrath by faith alone in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ.