Persuading the King

Overview

What we have here is Paul on trial. He had been charged with sedition, causing a riot, undermining the public peace. He had been charged with heresy.

At the very top of chapter 26, Paul gives a defense. He tells the story of his conversion, meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. But it’s here at the end that Paul shows the real goal of his speech, what he’s really after, and it’s surprising.

He’s not really out to defend himself, because if his primary goal was to get himself off the hook, he would never have made the bold move he makes. He would have played it safe, but he doesn’t. What was Paul’s goal, how does he get to that goal, and where does he get the power and poise and boldness to try that?