AUTHORITY AND COMPASSION
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart to hear what you say to me today. Give me greater vision for who I am as a redeemed child of God.
Read ACTS 26:19–32
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“Jesus … said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.’”1
Paul writes elsewhere that the gospel is foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the gentiles.2 He experiences the reality of this here. Festus does not understand the teaching on the resurrection, so he thinks Paul is insane (v. 24). Perhaps he is worried that he has given audience to an idiot and will lose face in front of Agrippa. Despite an honest desire to prove a man’s innocence in the face of many accusations, Festus seems alarmed by Paul’s defense of the gospel.
It is interesting that Paul, who is supposedly defending himself, manages to challenge Agrippa—albeit in a respectful way. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Pilate warns Jesus that he is under Pilate’s authority, who holds the power of life and death over him.3 Jesus understood power and authority differently, as does Paul—it is the Lord God alone who has authority over life and death. Pilate and Festus both failed to understand why the chained man in front of them had more authority and freedom than they did. Paul appeals to Agrippa’s knowledge of his own religion; he appeals to the prophets and how they point forward to the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah. Agrippa’s answer to Paul’s appeal reveals pride. Pride is the stumbling block for the king, who cannot accept the humility and sovereignty of Jesus the Messiah. Paul longs for Agrippa to know the power of the resurrection hope in Christ, but he is left grieving at the hardness of Agrippa’s heart. Our confession and defense of the gospel are based on the same freedom and authority that Paul had, and it needs the same compassionate heart that Paul shows here (v. 29). However foolish it may seem to this world, sharing the gospel must never become foolishness to us.
Apply
With whom can you share the hope that is within you today?
Closing prayer
I long, Lord, to see hard hearts soften toward you. Give me grace to share the gospel with authority, compassion, and freedom.
1 Matt 28:18, 19. 2 1 Cor 1:23. 3 John 19:10.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.