Acts 26
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Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
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"I think myself a happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer b for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am c accused by the Jews,
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"especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
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"My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
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"They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to d the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
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e "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of f the promise made by God to our fathers.
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"To this promise g our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God h night and day, i hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
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"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
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j "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of k Jesus of Nazareth.
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l "This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority m from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
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n "And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
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o "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
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"at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
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"And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
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"So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
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'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, p to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
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'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, q to whom I now send you,
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r 'to open their eyes, in order s to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, t that they may receive forgiveness of sins and u an inheritance among those who are v sanctified by faith in Me.'
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"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
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"but w declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do x works befitting repentance.
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"For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
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"Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those y which the prophets and z Moses said would come -
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a "that the Christ would suffer, b that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and c would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
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Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, d you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!"
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But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
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"For the king, before whom I also speak freely, e knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
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"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe."
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Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
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And Paul said, f "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."
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When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
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and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, g "This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains."
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Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set h free i if he had not appealed to Caesar."
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.
1 Peter 4:14
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
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Cross References
Acts 21:28
Crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.
Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Acts 24:6
He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
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Cross References
Acts 22:3
I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!
Acts 24:15
I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
Acts 24:21
"unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.'"
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee.
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Cross References
Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!
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Cross References
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman...
Genesis 22:18
"In your seed all the nations of the earth shal...
Genesis 26:4
And I will make your descendants multiply as th...
Genesis 49:10
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a ...
Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a Proph...
2 Samuel 7:12
When your days are fulfilled and you rest with ...
Psalms 132:11
The LORD has sworn in truth to David; He will n...
Isaiah 4:2
In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be bea...
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign...
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is g...
Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong h...
Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "T...
Jeremiah 33:14 - 16
Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 't...
Ezekiel 34:23
I will establish one shepherd over them, and he...
Ezekiel 37:24
David My servant shall be king over them, and t...
Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined For your people an...
Acts 13:32
And we declare to you glad tidings - that promi...
Romans 15:8
Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servan...
Titus 2:13
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appea...
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Cross References
James 1:1
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
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Cross References
Luke 2:37
And this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
1 Timothy 5:5
Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
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Cross References
Philippians 3:11
If, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
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Cross References
John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
1 Timothy 1:13
Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
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Cross References
Acts 2:22
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know -
Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
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Cross References
Acts 8:1 - 3
Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 9:13
Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
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Cross References
Acts 9:14
"And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."
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Cross References
Matthew 10:17
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Acts 22:19
So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
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Cross References
Acts 9:3 - 8
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
Acts 22:6 - 11
Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
Acts 26:12 - 18
While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests.
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Cross References
Acts 22:15
For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Ephesians 3:6 - 8
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.
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Cross References
Acts 22:21
"Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.'"
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Cross References
Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And...
Isaiah 42:7
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from...
Isaiah 42:16
I will bring the blind by a way they did not kn...
Luke 1:79
To give light to those who sit in darkness and ...
John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am t...
2 Corinthians 4:4
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, wh...
Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightene...
1 Thessalonians 5:5
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. ...
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Ephesians 4:18
Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Colossians 1:13
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
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Cross References
Luke 1:77
To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins.
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Cross References
Ephesians 1:11
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
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Cross References
Acts 20:32
So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
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Cross References
Acts 9:19
So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Acts 9:20
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Acts 9:22
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
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Cross References
Matthew 3:8
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.
Luke 3:8
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
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Cross References
Luke 24:27
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Acts 24:14
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
Acts 28:23
So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Romans 3:21
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.
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Cross References
John 5:46
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
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Cross References
Luke 24:26
"Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:20
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:23
But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
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Cross References
Isaiah 42:6
I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6
Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'
Luke 2:32
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.
2 Corinthians 4:4
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
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Cross References
2 Kings 9:11
Then Jehu came out to the servants of his maste...
John 10:20
And many of them said, "He has a demon and is m...
1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a s...
1 Corinthians 2:13
These things we also speak, not in words which ...
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things...
1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wis...
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Cross References
Acts 26:3
Especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:7
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
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Cross References
Acts 23:9
Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
Acts 23:29
I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
Acts 25:25
But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
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Cross References
Acts 28:18
Who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
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Cross References
Acts 25:11
"For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.