Jesus was appointing paul as his witness

JESUS WAS APPOINTING PAUL AS HIS WITNESS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’the Lord
replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have
appearedto you to appoint you as a servantand as a
witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I
will rescue you from your own people and from the
Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their
eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from
the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive
forgivenessof sins and a place among those who are
sanctifiedby faith in me.’
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedientto
the visionfrom heaven.
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Bible > Acts > Chapter 26 > Verse 16

◄ Acts 26:16 ►
But getup and stand on your feet. ForI have appeared to you to appoint you
as a servant and as a witness of what you have seenfrom Me and what I will
show you.
Sermons
Patti's Defence Before Agrippa D. C. Hughes. Acts 26:1-32
Paul Before Agrippa J. Parker, D. D. Acts 26:1-32
Paul Before Agrippa D. Katterns. Acts 26:1-32
Paul Before Agrippa J. Parker, D. D. Acts 26:1-32
Paul Before Festus and Agrippa E. Johnson Acts 26:1-32
Paul's Defence Before Agrippa D. Thomas, D. D. Acts 26:1-32
Paul's Defence Before Agrippa J. W. Burn. Acts 26:1-32
Paul's Sermon Before Agrippa T. D. Witherspoon, D. D. Acts 26:1-
32
Paul's Stretched-Out Arm K. Gerok. Acts 26:1-32
That Many RestUpon a Strict Way of Religion A. Burgess.Acts 26:1-32
The Apostolic Defense in the PresenceofFestus and Agrippa R.A.
Redford Acts 26:1-32
Christ and Paul C. H. Spurgeon. Acts 26:12-18
Christ's RemonstrancesA. Maclaren, D. D. Acts 26:12-18
Kicking Against the Pricks C. F. Childe, M. A. Acts 26:12-18
Opposition to the Truth Fatal Acts 26:12-18

Opposition to the Truth, Self-Destructive Acts 26:12-18
Striving Against Conviction U. R. Thomas. Acts 26:12-18
The Conversionof Saul of Tarsus EssexCongregationalRemembrancer
Acts 26:12-18
The Conversionof Saul: its Genuineness Canon Liddon. Acts 26:12-18
The Ox and the Goad C. H. Spurgeon. Acts 26:12-18
The Sinner His Own Enemy DeanVaughan. Acts 26:12-18
Apostolic Ministry D. Thomas, D. D. Acts 26:16-18
Christian Ministry Defined J. Parker, D. D. Acts 26:16-18
Christianity Self-Attested J. Parker, D. D. Acts 26:16-18
God's Work Upon Minister and Convert C. H. Spurgeon. Acts 26:16-18
Minister and Messenger W. Clarkson Acts 26:16-18
The Objects of the Christian Ministry O. A. Jeary.Acts 26:16-18
Why am I Saved G. E. Reed. Acts 26:16-18
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
Minister And Messenger
Acts 26:16-18
W. Clarkson
The charge given by the manifestedSavior to the strickenand awakenedSaul
is one which, in a true sense, though in smaller measure, we canapply to
ourselves. We look at -

I. THE TWOFOLD RELATION IN WHICH HE WAS TO STAND. "To
make thee a minister and a witness." Paulwas to be
(1) related to Christ as his servant, and to be
(2) related to his fellow-men as their teacher. We are to engage in every
Christian work as those who carry with them everywhere a sense of obedience
to a Divine Master. We are to do and saynothing which we feel that he does
not desire us to do or to say. We are also to feel flint, in regard to our fellows,
we are as those who have a Divine messageto deliver. If we are contentto
expound our own views, to establishour own position, or to secure a large
following for ourselves, we fall miserably short of our true vocation; we are
calledto conveyChrist's message to mankind.
II. THE TWOFOLD SOURCE WHENCE HE WAS TO DRAW HIS
MESSAGE. He was to bear witness "both of these things which he had seen,
and of those things in the which Christ would appear unto him" (ver. 16). Not
only was he to narrate what he alreadyknew, but he was to convey and
enforce the truths which were soonto be revealedto him. We are to draw
continually on this double source. We are
(1) to repeatthe facts and truths with which past experience and study have
made us familiar; and also
(2) to unfold those later and maturer views which our Lord will be revealing
to our open and inquiring minds.

III. THE TWOFOLD PROTECTIONOF WHICH HE WAS ASSURED.
"Delivering thee from the (Jewish)people, and from the Gentiles" (ver. 17).
He was to encounter serious perils and difficulties, but he would escapethe
one and surmount the other. He would find himself opposedand thwarted by
the Jews andthe Gentiles, by those who were "nigh" and by those who were
"afaroff," by the children of privilege from whom he might have hoped to
receive help, and by the sons of ignorance from whom he might have expected
to endure hostility. By whomsoeverassailed, the Divine Savior would be his
defense. We, too, may expectto be opposedby two parties - by those within
and by "them that are without," by the heirs of privilege and by the aliens
and strangers. If we are faithful and trustful, we may safely castourselves on
the care of our Divine Friend, who, if he does not save us from, will assuredly
save us in, the disappointments and the sufferings which will threaten us as
champions of his cause.
IV. THE TWOFOLD ISSUE OF HIS WORK.
1. Spiritual illumination. Those to whom he was to go would turn "from
darkness to light," their "eyes having been opened." Having been blind to the
existence, orto the nature and character, or to the claims of God; or blind to
the worth of the human soul, or to the true end and aim of human life, or to
the solemnity of death and judgment; or blind to the excellencyof holy
service, to the beauty of holiness, to the blessedness ofconsecrationand self-
denial; they were to perceive, to understand, to rejoice in the truth, to walk in
the light. Their experience in the spiritual realm would answerto his in the
material world who should awake from blackestnight to brightest day.
2. Deliverance. "Fromthe powerof Satan irate God" (ver. 18). In ignorance
and sin men are the bondmen of the evil one, held in his cords, subject to his
sway. Deliveredfrom the powerof sin, they become the freedmen of Christ;

they walk in "the glorious liberty of the children of God." From a degrading
bondage they are rescued, that they may rejoice in a holy, elevating freedom.
V. THE TWOFOLD BLESSING HE WAS TO PROMISE.
1. Forgivenessofsins.
2. Sanctification- "that they may receive," etc. (ver. 18). Immediately on the
exercise offaith they were to receive the abounding mercy of God, that
"forgiveness whichmeans not only the not holding them under condemnation,
but also the positive receptionof them into Divine favor, the admission of
them to the Father's table, the reinstatement of them into all the privileges of
sonship. And gradually they were to rise into a state of sanctification, leaving
old and evil things behind, and reaching forth to that which is before;
attaining to the stature of Christian manhood, becoming holy even as God is
holy (1 Peter1:16).
VI. THE ONE CONDITION ON WHICH HE MUST INSIST. By faith that is
in me." Every blessing promised was and is to be attained by faith in Jesus
Christ himself. Not the acceptanceofa creed, nor admissionto a Church, nor
submission to a ceremony, but a living faith in a living Savior; the cordial
acceptanceofJesus Christ himself as the Divine Savior, the rightful Lord, the
all-sufficient Friend of the human heart. - C.

Biblical Illustrator
But rise, and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared unto thee to make thee
a minister and a witness.
Acts 26:16-18
Christianity self-attested
J. Parker, D. D.
If you had given you what was assertedto be a speechmade long ago by your
father, the first reading of it would settle the matter. Knowing your father, his
sentiments, his mode of expression, you would be able to say instantly whether
the speechwas authentic or fabricated. We ought by this time to know enough
of Christ's manner to be able to say whether any speechpurporting to be His
was actually ever spokenby His lips. Is this? Let us see. Christ is reported as
saying —
1. "I have appearedunto thee for this purpose." Here I recallthe words which
made the first ministers, "Follow Me." He is as personalas ever.
2. "I have appearedunto thee for this purpose, to make —" Here I remember
the word, "I will make you fishers of men." Jesus Christ is still Creator. The
speakerdoes notpropose to modify, add to, rearrange.

3. "To make thee a minister" — that is a new word — "and a witness" — that
is an old word. "Ye are," saidJesus Christ, "witnesses ofthese things."
4. Proceedstillfurther: "a witness both of these things which thou hast seen."
Why, that is the old method: "Go and show John againthose things which ye
do hear and see." We speak as eyewitnesses;we are not quoters from authors
of an ancientdate.
5. Proceedfurther: "and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee."
Jesus said, "I have yet many things to sayunto you, but ye cannotbear them
now." There is no end to the meaning of revelation. There is no end to the
literature of the alphabet. The letters are but six-and-twenty in number, and
no man attempts to add another! It is the same with the New Testament.
Observe, nothing is added to the revelation. Howeverlarge the book, it is all in
the alphabet; howevermagnificent the unfoldment of the truth by human
eloquence, the truth itself is the distinct and direct gift of God alone.
6. Proceednow to ver. 17: "Delivering them from the people and from the
Gentiles." Here is the Lord's own speech:"Behold, I send you forth as sheep
in the midst of wolves," etc. It is a marvellous thing if this was invented. It is
impossible, considering Saul's antecedents, thathe could have invented a
speechso perfect, not only in the letter, but in the spirit.
7. The eighteenth verse is a summary of all that Jesus beganboth to do and to
say. The miracles and the gospels are allthere. For example, "To open their
eyes." Thatis what Jesus Christ was always doing. He could never be at rest
in the presence ofthe blind. Again and againHe said, "According to your
faith, be it unto you." Christ will not have any blind followers.

8. "To turn them from darkness to light." When did He ever turn men from
light to darkness? WheneverHe visited a town, the inhabitants were startled
by an excess ofintellectuallustre; old thoughts stoodup in new meanings
when He breathed them; the law itself became a kind of gospelwhenHe
repronounced its awful words.
9. "And from the powerof Satan unto God." When did He ever reverse that
process?His first battle was with the devil in the wilderness, and His last
battle was with the devil on the Cross.
10. Go further: "that they may receive forgivenessofsins." That is His very
word: "Son, daughter, thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee." That
is not the kind of word which a bad man would be likely to invent.
11. But how was this forgiveness to be accomplished? andhow was it be
followed? By "inheritance among them which are sanctified." The whole
process is setdown to the action of "faith." Have we ever heard that word
before? Why, the word is the keywordof Christ's ministry. Conclusion:So far
the speechis self-proving. I find in it no syllable or tone that is not in vital
accordwith everything we have read in the Gospels everspokenordone by
the Sonof God. This is a field of evidence to which I would invite every
student of the Scriptures. Readthe Book carefullythrough with a view to see
how far its parts are confirmed by one another, and how far even apparent
discrepancies admit of a kind of reconciliationwhich adds infinite force to the
substantial argument for the unity of the Scriptures. Perhaps a more vivid
instance of confirmation could hardly be produced than the one which is now
before us. Paul is supposedto be in a fanaticalstate of mind; he is struck
down to the ground, blinded, disabled; he is supposedly the victim of an
hallucination of the most complete kind; yet when he himself reports what
happened to him, no slip or flaw canbe found in his evidence which throws
the slightestdoubt upon the identity of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, as

revealedin the acceptedGospels. More than Chat, everything is here which is
needed. Take this as a programme for the revolution, regeneration, and
perfecting of the world, and add to it one line that is not involved in its
unfathomable wisdom. It cannot be done.
(J. Parker, D. D.)
Why am I saved
G. E. Reed.
? —
1. Notice the swiftness ofthe revelationof God's purpose as to the apostle of
the Gentiles. An ordinary call to the ministry usually involves long processes
of self-examination and observationof God's guiding providences.
2. The distinctness with which Paul comprehended his mission is notable. He
continually declares his one, only aim in life to "apprehend (or lay hold of)
Him," he says, "who has laid hold of me."
3. This obedient spirit deserves distinct mention. "I was not disobedient to the
heavenly vision." He never was. At the end of his life he wrote, "I have kept
the faith." But turning awayfrom these and other lines of discussion, letus
accentuate the proposition that God has a purpose in our salvation. We ought
to know what that purpose is. Am I savedmerely to have my name entered on
a Church roll? to keepup a form of godliness?No;I am savedfor a two-fold
purpose — viz., to glorify God's grace in my personal salvationand
sanctification, and also to advance the kingdom of God in the world.

1. We infer, first of all, the need of the illuminating light from heaven to make
us realise our high calling of God.
2. Again, we see our obligation to fulfil Christ's purpose in our salvationas
Paul saw the purpose of his salvationand accomplishedit.
(G. E. Reed.)
The objects of the Christian ministry
O. A. Jeary.
I. The object of the Christian ministry is THE EXHIBITION OF THE
CHARACTER OF GOD. That there is a God, "all Nature cries aloud through
all her works" (Psalm19:1-4;Romans 1:20). But "Nature is a speechless
beauty, waiting in silence till man shall find leisure and inclination to he
instructed by dumb signs." She discloses some tracesofhis wisdom, goodness,
and power;but a sinner, under a sense ofhis guilt, might remain in her
presence for ages, withoutdiscovering what is essentialto his relief. It was
reservedto the gospelto revealthe characterofHim whose perfections are
unceasinglyadored in the world of light, whose will is law, to whose designs all
beings and all events are subservient, whose hands supply the wants of every
creature, whose heartcompassionatesthe children of sorrow, whose frown is
hell, whose smile is heaven. Even the Old Testamentafforded but partial
discoveries ofHim. A veil still remained over Him; which veil the gospelhas
drawn aside. His holiness, His justice, and His mercy, shine in the clearest
light; there, if genuine Christians, we effectuallydiscern the doctrines which
demand our faith, the privileges which claim our gratitude, the promises
which encourage our hope, the principles which compose our character.
II. The Christian ministry is designed to promote THE DESTRUCTION OF
THE KINGDOM OF SATAN AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THAT OF
CHRIST. The dominion of Satan commenced at an early period. Its

foundation was laid in falsehood. The supports of his throne are delusion and
depravity, wrought into a thousand fantastic and ten thousand odious forms.
But the usurper was not permitted to reign without control. His final defeat
was predicted in the very scene whichhad been disgracedby his victory. Then
was the assurance given, that "the seedof the woman should bruise the
serpent's head." At length the Messiahcame, forthe glorious purpose of
recovering this colony of rebels to the duty they had renounced, and the
felicity they had forfeited. His triumphs beganin the wilderness, where He
foiled the tempter, and compelled him to retire; they were extended, when
"the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subjectto us
through Thy name." But it was after His resurrection and ascensionthat this
mighty Conqueror shone forth in the splendour of His. sublimest
achievements. The commissionwith which He invested the apostles was
accompaniedwith power from on high; and He "bare them witness, both with
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost." A
thousand delusions were scatteredby the beams of truth; the slumbers of
insensibility were shakenoff; the rock of impenitence was melted; faith
opened to the moral wanderera heavenly prospect;peace cheeredthe bosom
that had throbbed with anguish; and the sceptre of righteousness was swayed
over the faculties, passions, and appetites, that had been perverted and
enslavedby the tyranny of hell.
III. The Christian ministry is establishedfor the purpose of LEADING
THOSE AMONG WHOM IT IS EXERCISED TO THE PRACTISE OF
"PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION," and thus effecting the most
important change that can be introduced into the condition of mankind (ver.
18). Accordingly, we find the same apostle afterwards stating (Titus 2:11, 12).
Such is the influence of the gospelon the characterof everyone by whom it is
cordially received. It not only reveals a Saviour, but is the instrument of
conveying salvation. Through the medium of the gospelthe Holy Spirit
enlightens the understanding, subdues vicious propensities, restores the
Divine image, and prepares the frail tenant of earth for the inheritance
reservedin heaven.

IV. THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRYWILL RESULT IN THE BRIGHTEST
MANIFESTATION OF THE SAVIOUR'S GLORY. To Him it owes its
origin, its support, its conductors, and its efficacy. He is the Subject of it.
Apart from His dignity and condescension;His virtues and sufferings;His
doctrines, commandments, and promises;the miracles which He wrought, the
atonement which He made, His triumph over His death, His constant
intercession, and the grace which flows from His inexhaustible fulness — the
Christian ministry were a mere name, and those who engage in it only beat
the air. But when a man, saved from eternalruin ascends before a
congregationinspired with grateful astonishment, and anxious. to see every
hearer a participant of his own felicity, how can he forget his Divine
benefactor, or allude to Him in obscure language, andwith faint regard!
Behold Him, and all who, being honoured with the same office, press forward
in the same spirit, continually insisting on the all-important theme. They are
the servants of Jesus Christ, and they urge His authority; they live upon His
smile, and they want words to express the magnitude of the privilege; they are
the almoners of His bounty, and they beseech, as onthe bended knee, their
fellow mortals to receive it. Greatis the reward which awaits them all.
(O. A. Jeary.)
God's work upon minister and convert
C. H. Spurgeon.
I. A WORK WROUGHT BY GOD UPON THE MINISTER.
1. Subjugation. While a man is a rebel, the Lord does not appoint him an
ambassador;while he is dead in sin, a preacherof the wayof life. Paul was
struck down; for if he had not fallen, he would not have knownhow to lift
others up. He remained blind for three days; otherwise he would not have
been qualified to deal with others in darkness. See whatGod does in His

ministers to fit them for your conversion. In order to slay your sins the shaft
has been polished. Each of the best locks made by our eminent locksmiths is
unique, and eachneeds its own specialkey:so God fits certain men for
reaching certain men.
2. Encouragement. "Rise, andstand upon thy feet." Men can hardly be very
useful till they ceaseto be despondent, and become energetic and hopeful. I
have noticed that those who do not believe that they will be successfulseldom
are so;but those who rise and stand upon their feet, and manfully expect that
God will bless them, are not disappointed.
3. Ordination. And to this end he must see the Lord for himself. Our Lord's
appearing —(1) Makes him willing to be a servant, for that is the meaning of
the word "minister." When the renewedmind beholds the Lord, it cries out,
"What wilt Thou have me to do?"(2)Qualifies him to actas a witness. We
cannot bear witness to that which we have never seen. Hearsayis of small
value. Heads are won by reasoning, but hearts are won by witness bearing.
4. Continuous instruction. He is to be a witness not only of those things which
he has seen, but also of those things in the which the Lord will yet appear unto
him.
5. Constantpreservation. "Delivering thee from the people," etc. Paul's life
was always in danger, and yet never in real peril, for the Lord was his keeper.
So shall every true servant of Christ be kept as with a garrisonfrom all evil.
II. THE WORK WROUGHT IN THE HEARER.

1. Illumination: the Lord sends His servant "to open their eyes." Menare
born blind, and continue blind till, by the power of Jesus, sightis given to
them. Your educationand surroundings have perhaps placeda film of
prejudice over your eyes;if a candid, childlike spirit were given you, you
would see. Or possibly some favourite sin is like a cataractupon the eye of
your conscience, andyou cannot see the evil of sin or the beauty of holiness.
Or it may be that unbelief darkens your soul.
2. Conversion:"to turn them from darkness to light." What a blessedturning
is that which makes us face truth, and goodness, andGod, and heaven; and
leave ignorance, sin, and hell behind.
3. Translation. As the soul is brought into a new element, so is it also brought
under a new government. "From the power of Satanunto God." Somebody
says, "I do not understand how this can be performed in a minute." Well, two
men are fighting, and we beg them to leave off. Do you recommend them to
leave off gradually? If anybody held a pistol at my head, I should not say,
"Take it awayby degrees."Changesofmind such as are necessaryto
conversionhad need be quick when sin is to be forsaken, forevery moment
deepens the guilt. It may seema very gradual process by which a man who
was dead comes to life; but for certain there is a point at which he left the
dead and became alive, and that point God sees very clearly, even though we
do not.
4. Complete forgiveness. The same moment that we receive Christ, we
"receive forgivenessofsins and inheritance among them which are
sanctified." What a blessing to become an heir of God! To what choice
company is a sinner introduced when he believes in Jesus!He is a freeholder
among the burgesses ofthe New Jerusalem.

5. And all this has for its certificate and mark of genuineness these words —
"By faith that is in Me." The whole process ofsalvationis by faith.
III. A WORK WHICH MUST BE DONE BY THE HEARER HIMSELF.
This text speaks ofPaul being an instrument in the hands of Godof opening
men's eyes, etc., and they seemto be passive;but now they are calledupon to
be active. We are createdthinking, intelligent beings, and we are savedas
such. Neverlet us forgeteither the free agencyof man or the purposes of God.
Grace reigns not over slaves, but over obedient children.
1. You must repent. It is not the work of God the Holy Ghost to repent for
you, but to lead you to repent.
2. You must turn to God. Your prayer may be, "Turn thou me, and I shall be
turned"; but the command is, "Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?" God will
turn you, but you have willingly to yield, and thus turn yourself.
3. You must do works meet for repentance;for whereverthere is true faith
there will be corresponding works, suchas these: restitution if you have
wrongedanyone, reconciliationif you are at enmity with anyone,
acknowledgmentif you have spokenfalsely, giving up of evil habits, and an
earnestendeavourto be pure and holy.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Apostolic ministry
D. Thomas, D. D.

I. ITS THEME. What had he to testify?
1. All that he had seenof Christ. He had seenand heard greatthings amidst
the bright light which struck him to the ground.
2. All that he should see of Christ. He would receive many more
communications. A true minister will be always receiving fresh
communications of truth, and he must proclaim the new as wellas the old.
II. ITS BENEFICENCE.He had to effect —
1. The highest good.(1)Spiritual illumination: "Open their eyes." An
expressionthis implying —
(a)The moral blindness of the sinner.
(b)The restorative characterofChristianity — it does not give new eyes, but
opens the old ones.
(c)The genuineness ofChrist as a reformer — the designof impostors is to
close eyes.(2)Soulemancipation: "From the power of Satanunto God." Satan
enslaves men by lust, worldliness, prejudice, superstition, etc. The minister's
work is to manumit the slave.(3)Divine forgiveness:"Thatthey may receive
forgiveness ofsins." This actis representedin the Bible as cancelling,
forgetting, drowning sin; separating the sinner from his sin.(4) Eternal
blessedness:"Inheritance amongstthem which are sanctified," etc.
(a)Legitimate possession— having a kind of right to it.

(b)Socialintercourse "among them," not a scene ofisolation.
(c)Moralpurity "sanctified." The Christian circle is holy.
2. The highest goodby a simple method. By no onerous labour or costly
sacrifices,but by "faith that is in Me";not in priests, not in human creeds, not
in the opinions of men about Me. Faith in Christ is not a mere thing of the
intellect; it involves the deepestsympathies of the heart. Nor is it even a thing
of thought and feeling combined; it takes the form of living acts;it moulds the
life.(1) Faith is in itself one of the easiestacts a man can perform. A child can
believe; the propensity to believe is one of the strongestin human nature.
Credulity has ruined the world.(2) Faith in itself is one of the most influential
acts. What a man really believes sways his thoughts, controls his passions, and
regulates his life.
III. ITS FULFILMENT. "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." He
dischargedthis commission.
1. Self-denyingly.
2. Continuously. He began when he was converted, and went on. This is the
true order. Beginwith those nearestat hand.
3. Reformatively. His grand aim was spiritually to reform men, which
includes two things —(1) A renewed mind. "Repent" — a thorough change —
and turn.(2) A renewedlife. "Works meetfor repentance":the conduct
answering the new state of the soul.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)
Christian ministry defined
J. Parker, D. D.
This is the kind of ministry which Christ wishes to establish. No other
statementis needed. This conceptionis such as never entered into the
uninspired mind, and, in particular, never could have entered into a mind
constituted as was Saul's.
I. "RISE AND STAND UPON THY FEET." Here is the typical manliness of
the Christian ministry. We do not want crawling, fawning men, but men who
can stand up and show their stature and force. The minister, realising Christ's
conception, does not apologise forhis existence:he stands upon his feet. Jesus
did not speak to Saul as he lay down in the dust. He will not send frightened
things about His messagesand errands; He will have the whole man at his
best. But what kind of manliness? Only that manliness which is made possible
by Christ. To stand without permission to stand is impertinence; to stand in
obedience to Divine injunction is humility. God canmake men sit down, roll in
the dust of the ground; and it is out of such lying that the true strength comes.
If we have not first been laid down by the Divine power, we cannot stand in
the Divine strength. The command is a royal command. He who has stood
before Christ may well stand before kings. We get overall our nervousness
when we are with the Lord. FearGod, and have no other fear.
II. "FOR I HAVE APPEARED UNTO THEE TO MAKE THEE A
MINISTER."Thenministers are not man made; they are not turned out by
machinery. Only Christ can make ministers. We have forgottenthis; we have
takento making a species ofecclesiasticalpottery. We do not read, "I have
appearedunto thee to make thee an equal, a priest," but "a minister" — i.e., a
servant, a slave. There is no mistaking the minister which Christ makes. The

sealof Christ is not always the kind we like; but somewhere there is the
indubitable sign — in one man in the intellect, in another in the tender heart;
here in the eloquence that fills the ear with delight, and there in the pleading,
holy intercessionthat lifts the listening soul into the quietude of heaven.
III. CHRIST MUST NOT ONLY FIND THE MINISTER, HE MUST FIND
THE SERMON.
1. "A minister and a witness of these things which thou hast seen." Not"those
things which thou hast imagined," invented; so that a man denying thy
ministry must first deny thy character. Wondrous ministry! the soul
continually upon oath, the voice forbidden to utter anything for the sake of
uttering it, and chargedto tell what the soul has already heard. No man could
have imagined such a call, and especiallyno man like Paul.
2. "Ofthose things in the which I will appear unto thee." There is a growing
revelation. Christianity has a future as well as a past. Expect the vision; wait
for the additional revelation. It will not be anything new in the sense of
unrelated, but new in the sense of development, progress from the thing
already in the soul. Sometimes we say of a sermon, "How large a sermon from
so small a text!" No. In every acornthere is enough to clothe all the mountains
of the earth with umbrageous oaks — forests out of which navies might be cut
and palaces might be built. There is nothing new in the oak;everything was in
the acorn. It is so when Jesus comes to us — the same Jesus, the same grace,
the same Spirit, but growing in grace and in the knowledge ofour Lord Jesus
Christ.
IV. "DELIVERING THEE FROM THE PEOPLE AND FROM THE
GENTILES." ShallI, then, be in the clutch of evil men? Yes; but thou shalt be
delivered from them. Every minister has his stormy careerif he be a faithful

minister. Sometimes a minister will tell you — as if he were preaching his own
funeral sermon — that he never had a difference with any human creature.
What an awful life to have lived! Hear the light saying, "I never had a battle
with darkness!" The true minister cannothave a peacefuland luxurious life.
Who wants the minister in his proper capacity? Not the makers of ill-gotten
gain, profane men, worldly men, self-idolaters, normen whose books have
never been audited by pure sunlight. Many want him as a companion, a man
as well-read as themselves, exchanging the pleasantword; but who wants him
as a representative of the throne of God? Let any minister try that course, and
he will soonsee that it is impossible to be popular.
(J. Parker, D. D.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(16) But rise, and stand upon thy feet.—The reportof the words heard by the
Apostle is much fuller than in either Acts 9:11 or Acts 22:10, and may fairly
be thought of as embodying what followedon the actualwords so recorded,
the substance of“the visions and revelations of the Lord” (2Corinthians 12:1),
by which, in those days of blindness and ecstasy, the future of his life was
marked out for him, and the gospelwhich he was to preach revealedin its
fulness. In such states ofconsciousness, the man who is in contactwith the
supernatural life does not take note of the sequence of thoughts with the
precisionof a short-hand reporter.
A minister and a witness.—The firstword is the same as that which the
Apostle uses of himself in 1Corinthians 4:1.

BensonCommentary
Acts 26:16-18. Butrise and stand upon thy feet — Though thou hast
persecutedme and my followers in this outrageous manner, and hast been
engagedin a desperate attempt to destroy them from the face of the earth,
and, by so doing, hast forfeited thy life. I am determined graciouslyto spare it,
and to use thee hereafter as the instrument of my grace. ForI have appeared
unto thee — In this extraordinary manner; for this purpose, to make thee a
minister — Of my gospel;and a witness both of these things which thou hast
seen— Now, at this time; and of those in which I will appear unto thee —
Namely, hereafter;Delivering thee from the people — The Jews;and the
Gentiles, to whom — Both Jews and Gentiles;I now send thee — Paul gives
them to know that the liberty he enjoyed, evenin bonds, was promised to him,
as well as his preaching to the Gentiles. I, denotes the authority of the sender;
now, the time whence his mission was dated. For his apostleship, as well as his
conversion, commencedat this moment. To open their eyes — The eyes of
them who are now in a miserable state of blindness, whether Jews orGentiles.
He opens them who sends Paul, and he does it by Paul who is sent. And to
turn them from darkness — From that state of ignorance and folly in which
they are involved; that is, with respectto the Gentiles, to turn them from
following false and blind guides, their oracles,divinations, and superstitious
usages, receivedby tradition from their fathers, and the corrupt notions they
had of their gods. And with respectto the Jews, to rescue them from their
ignorance of the spirituality, extent, and obligationof the moral law, and of
the shadowy, typical, and temporary nature of the Mosaic institution in
general, as also from their ignorance ofthe spiritual and heavenly nature of
the Messiah’skingdom, and the qualifications necessaryfor becoming
subjects of it, and of the true sense of the prophetic writings with relation to
these things; to light — The light of divine knowledge andwisdom; and from
the powerof Satan — Who now holds them in a state of sin and guilt,
weakness andwretchedness;unto God — To his love and service:for it was
not sufficient for them to have their eyes opened, it was also necessaryto have
their hearts renewed;not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they
must be turned from sin to holiness;which, indeed, follows of course;for
Satanrules by the power of darkness, and God by the convincing evidence of

light. Idolaters were and are, in a specialmanner, under the power of Satan,
paying their homage to creatures oftheir own fancy; to images, or imaginary
beings; or to God’s creatures, notformed and given to man for any such
purpose; that is, in effect, doing service to devils: but all sinners, also, are
under the powerof Satan, influenced by his temptations, yielding themselves
captives to his will and pleasure. But converting grace rescues them from his
tyranny, and brings them into subjection to God; translates them out of the
kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Observe, reader,
when gracious dispositions are as strong in the soulas corrupt and sinful
dispositions had been, it is then turned from the powerof Satanunto God.
That they may receive forgiveness ofsins — That they may be pardoned, and
restoredto God’s favour, which by sin they had forfeited. They are delivered
from the dominion of sin, that they may be delivered from that death which is
the wagesofsin; not that they may merit that forgiveness, as a debt or
reward, but that they may receive it as a free gift, togetherwith the comfort
arising from it; they are persuadedto lay down their arms, and return to their
allegiance, thatthey may have the benefit of the actof indemnity passedby
God in behalf of those who do so. An inheritance, or lot, among them which
are sanctified— That Isaiah , 1 st, That they may be sanctified as well as
justified; may be redeemed from all iniquity, Titus 2:14; cleansedfrom all
unrighteousness, 1 John 1:9; from all unholy tempers, words, and works,
purified from all pollution of the flesh and of the spirit, 2 Corinthians 7:1; and
made glorious souls, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but
constituted holy and without blemish, Ephesians 5:26-27;in other words, so
renewedby the power of the Holy Ghost as to bear the image of the heavenly,
as they had borne that of the earthly, and be made partakers ofthe divine
nature, Titus 3:5; 2 Peter1:4. 2d, That they may receive an inheritance among
such as are thus sanctified, even the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and
that fadeth not away. Forthis inheritance, the forgiveness ofour sins and the
sanctificationof our nature prepare us; removing that guilt and depravity
which were the chief hinderances in the way of our receiving it. As all those
that shall be saved hereaftermust be sanctified as well as justified here, all
that receive the heavenly inheritance must be thus entitled to it and made
meet for it: and none canbe saints in heaven that are not first saints on earth;
so we need no more to ensure our happiness in a future world, than to possess

these blessings in this world. And, as is here stated, these, togetherwith the
heavenly inheritance, for which they prepare us, are receivedby faith in
Jesus:for faith in him, and in the promises of God, made to the penitent and
believing through him; the faith whereby we not only receive divine revelation
in general, but the recordwhich God hath given of his Son in particular; by
which we apply to, and rely on, Christ as the Lord our righteousness and
sanctification, and resignourselves to him as the Lord our proprietor and
ruler; this is that faith whereby we receive forgiveness, holiness, andeternal
life, the salvationof grace here, and the salvation of glory hereafter.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
26:12-23 Paulwas made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelationof
Christ both to him and in him; when in the full careerof his sin. He was made
a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that
glorious light, ordered him to preachthe gospelto 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 wickednessmust 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
powerof Satanunto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only
pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness ofsins
makes wayfor 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 savedby 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
remissionof 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 Testamentpredictions. 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 reasonof his hope, and a goodaccountof
the change manifestin him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to
repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted.

Barnes'Notes on the Bible
But rise ... - The particulars mentioned in this verse and the two following are
not recordedin the accountof Paul's conversionin Acts 9; but it is not
improbable that many circumstances may have occurredwhich are not
recorded. Paul dwells on them here at length in order particularly to show his
authority for doing what he had done in preaching to the Gentiles.
To make thee a minister - A minister of the gospel;a preacherof the truth.
And a witness - See the notes on Acts 22:15.
Which thou hastseen- On the road to Damascus;that is, of the Lord Jesus,
and of the factthat he was risen from the dead.
And of those things ... - Of those further manifestations of my person,
purposes, and will, which I will yet make to you. It is evident from this that
the Lord Jesus promisedto manifest himself to Paul in his ministry, and to
make to him still further displays of his will and glory. Compare Acts 22:17-
18. This was done by his rescuing him from destruction and danger; by
inspiration; by the growing and expanding view which Paul was permitted to
take of the characterand perfections of the Lord Jesus. In this we see that it is
the duty of ministers to bear witness not only to the truth of religion in
general, or of that which they can demonstrate by argument, but more
especiallyof that which they experience in their own hearts, and which they
understand by having themselves been the subjects of it. No man is qualified
to enter the ministry who has not a personalsaving view of the glory and
perfections of the Lord Jesus, andwho does not go to his work as a witness of
those things which he has felt; and no man enters the ministry with these
feelings who has not, as Paul had, a promise that he shall see still brighter
displays of the perfections of the Saviour, and be permitted to advance in the
knowledge ofhim and of his work. The highest personalconsolation in this

work is the promise of being admitted to ever-growing and expanding views of
the glory of the Lord Jesus, andof experiencing his presence, guidance, and
protection.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
16-18. But rise, &c.—Here the apostle appears to condense into one statement
various sayings of his Lord to him in visions at different times, in order to
present at one view the grandeur of the commissionwith which his Master
had clothed him [Alford].
a minister … both of these things which thou hastseen—putting him on a
footing with those "eye-witnessesandministers of the word" mentioned in Lu
1:2.
and of those in which I will appear to thee—referring to visions he was
thereafterto be favored with; such as Ac 18:9, 10; 22:17-21;23:11; 2Co 12:1-
10, &c. (Ga 1:12).
Matthew Poole's Commentary
Stand upon thy feet; as Daniel was bidden by the angel, Daniel 10:11, to
mitigate his consternationand fear.
Of those things in the which I will appear unto thee: St. Paul accordinglyhad
many visions and revelations, Acts 28:9 23:11 2 Corinthians 12:2; as he was
more abundant in his sufferings for Christ, so in consolations fromChrist, 2
Corinthians 1:5.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
But rise and stand upon thy feet,.... This, and what follows in this and the two
next verses, are not in any of the former accounts;and these words are used

not only because Saulwas fallento the earth, and are an encouragementto
rise up, and stand corporeally, but to take heart, and be of good cheer;for
though he had actedso vile and cruel a part by Christ, and his people, yet he
had designs of grace, andgood will to him; and this appearance was notfor
his destruction, but for his honour, comfort, and usefulness:
for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose; not to take vengeance forpast
offences, but for the ends hereafter mentioned: and this appearance ofChrist
was real, corporeal, and personal, and not imaginary, or merely visionary and
intellectual; and it was to this sight of Christ he more than once refers, partly
in proof of Christ's resurrectionfrom the dead, and partly to demonstrate the
truth of his apostleship, 1 Corinthians 9:1.
to make thee a minister and a witness, both of those things which thou hast
seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; so that he was
an apostle, not of men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, as he himself says,
Galatians 1:1. He was a minister, not of man's making, but of Christ's; and
they are the only true ministers of the Gospel, who are made by Christ, who
have their mission and commission, their qualifications, gifts, and abilities,
their doctrine, work, and wages from him: and the apostle's work, as a
minister, was to be a witness;it was to testify what he had seenof Christ
corporeally;and what knowledge ofhis person, office, and grace was now
communicated to him by the spirit of wisdom and revelation; and what should
hereafterbe made known to him, either mediately by Ananias, or immediately
by Christ and his Spirit; for the apostle had after appearances, visions, and
revelations;see Acts 22:17.
Geneva Study Bible
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this
purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which
thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary
Acts 26:16-18. Ἀλλά] “ProstravitChristus Paulum, ut eum humiliaret; nunc
eum erigit ac jubet bono esse animo,” Calvin.
εἰς τοῦτο γάρ] εἰς τοῦτο points emphatically to what follows (προχειρίσασθαι
κ.τ.λ.), and γάρ assigns the reasonfor what precedes (ἀνάστηθι κ.τ.λ.).
προχειρ.] in order to appoint thee. See on Acts 3:20, Acts 22:14. He was,
indeed, the σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς, Acts 9:15.
ὧν τε ὀφθήσομαί σοι]ὧν is to be resolvedinto τούτωνἅ; but ὀφθήσομαι is
not, with Luther, Bengel, and others, including Bornemann, to be takenas
causative (videre faciam), but purely passive (I shall be seen). The ἅ contained
in ὧν is equivalent to διʼ ἅ, on accountof which; see Stallb. ad Plat. Symp. p.
174 A; Ellendt, Lex. Soph. II. p. 374;especiallySoph. Oed. T. 788, where ὧν
μὲν ἱκόμηνis likewise to be resolvedinto τούτωνδιʼ ἃ ἱκόμην. Consequently:
and of those things, on accountof which I shall appear to thee (tibi videbor).
Comp. Winer, p. 246 [E. T. 329], who, however, without reasoncontradicts
himself, p. 135 [E. T. 178].
ἐξαιρούμενός σε] is an accompanying definition to ὀφθήσομαί σοι:rescuing
thee (as thy deliverer) from the people (i.e. κατʼ ἐξοχήν, the Jewishnation)
and from the Gentiles, from their hostile power. On ἐξαιρ., comp. Acts 7:10,
Acts 12:11, Acts 23:27;Galatians 1:4, LXX. and Apocr.; Dem. 256. 2, al.
Calvin appropriately says:“Hic armatur contra omnes metus, qui eum
manebant, et simul praeparatur ad crucis tolerantiam.”

εἰς οὕς] is not, with Calvin, Grotius, and others, to be referred merely to τῶν
ἐθνῶν, but, with Beza, Bengel, Heinrichs, Kuinoel, de Wette, to τοῦ λαοῦ κ. τ.
ἐθνῶν together, which is required by the significant bearing of Acts 26:19-20.
ἀποστέλλω] not future, but strictly present.
ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν]contains the aim of the mission. And this opening
of their eyes, i.e. the susceptibility for the knowledge ofdivine truth (the
opposite:Acts 28:27; Romans 11:8), which was to be brought to them by the
preaching of the gospel(Acts 26:23), was to have the design:τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι
(that they may turn themselves;on accountof Acts 26:20, less admissible is
the rendering of Beza and Bengel:ut convertas)ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς φῶς, from
darkness to light, i.e. from a condition, in which they are destitute of saving
truth and involved in ignorance and sin, to the opposite element, καὶ (ἀπὸ) τῆς
ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ κ.τ.λ. The two more precise definitions of ἐπιστρέψαι
apply to both, to the Jews and Gentiles;but the latter has respectin its
predominant reference to the Gentiles, who are ἄθεοι ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ (Ephesians
2:12), under the powerof Satan, the ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου, Ephesians 2:2.
τοῦ λαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ἄφεσιν … εἰς ἐμέ] This now contains the aim of τοῦ
ἐπιστρέψαι κ.τ.λ., and so the ultimate aim of ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν.
κλῆρονἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμ.]See on Acts 20:32.
πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ] belongs to λαβεῖν. Faith on Christ, as the subjective
condition (causa apprehendens) of the forgiveness ofsins and the attainment
of the Messianic salvation, is with greatemphasis placedat the close;the form
also of the expressionhas weight.
Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 26:16. ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι:“ProstravitChristus Paulum ut eum humiliaret;
nunc eum erigit ac jubet bono esse animo,” Calvin; for the expressioncf.
Ezekiel2:1-2.—προχειρ., cf. Acts 3:14, Acts 22:14, Acts 9:15, σκεῦος
ἐκλογῆς.—ὑπηρέτηνκαὶ μάρτυρα ὧντε εἶδες, so like the Twelve, and cf. also
αὐτόπται καὶ ὑπηρέται τοῦ λόγου, Luke 1:1; in Cor. Acts 4:1 St. Paul speaks
of himself as ὑπηρέτης.—ὧντε εἶδές με, see criticalnote, “whereinthou hast
seenme,” R.V., cf. 1 Corinthians 9:1, quite in harmony with the stress which
the Apostle there lays upon “seeing the Lord”.—ὧν τειὀφθ. = τούτωνἅ: “and
of the things wherein I will appear to thee,” so A. and R.V. Cf. Acts 18:9; Acts
22:18;Acts 22:21; Acts 23:11, 2 Corinthians 12:2. ὀφθ., future passive
(Grimm-Thayer), cannot be rendered “I will make thee to see,” or“I will
communicate to thee by vision,” as if = ἐγὼ ὑποδείξω, Acts 9:16. For
constructionsee Page, andBlass, in loco.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
16. to make [R. V. appoint] thee a minister] The verb is that which in Acts
22:14 is rendered “have chosen” (R. V. appointed), and implies a deliberate
selectionand appointment. Saul was “a chosenvessel” (Acts 9:15).
and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen]Rev. Ver. “a witness
both of the things wherein thou hast seenme,” with a certain amount of MS.
authority, though A.V. is well supported. St Paul dwells not unfrequently in
his Epistles on his having seenJesus. Cp. 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians
15:8, &c., and he makes this the ground of his independence in the Apostolic
work, so that he can say he is not a whit behind any of the other Apostles.
and of those things in the which I will appearunto thee] St Paul was more
favoured than the rest of the Apostles, as far as we gatherfrom the N. T.
records, with visions from God to guide and comfort him at critical points in
his work. Cp. Acts 18:9; Acts 23:11;and 2 Corinthians 2:2. It was specially
important that Paul should have seenJesus, so that he might bear
independent witness to the truth of his resurrection.

Bengel's Gnomen
Acts 26:16. Ὧν τε ὀφθήσομαί σοι)and of those visions which I will hereafter
impart to thee [“of those things, in the which I will appearunto thee”].
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 16. - Arise for rise, A.V.; to this end have I, etc., for I have, etc., for this
purpose, A.V.; appoint for make, A.V.; the things wherein thou hast seenme
for these things which thou hast seen, A.V. and T.R.;the things wherein for
those things in the which, A.V. For to this end have I appeared, etc. On
comparing this statementwith those in Acts 9:6 and Acts 22:10, 14, 15, it
appears that in this condensedaccountgiven before King Agrippa, St. Paul
blends into one messagethe words spokento him when the Lord first
appearedto him, and the instruction subsequently given to him through
Ananias, and the words spokento him in the trance (Acts 22:17-21). This may
especiallybe inferred from Acts 9:6, and againfrom comparing Acts 22:15
with this verse.
Vincent's Word Studies
Have I appeared(ὤφθην)
See on Luke 22:43.
To make (προχειρίσασθαι)
Better, as Rev., appoint. See on Acts 3:20.
A minister and a witness
See on Matthew 5:25; and Acts 1:22.

PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Acts 26:16 'But getup and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have
appearedto you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things
which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appearto you;
NET Acts 26:16 But getup and stand on your feet, for I have appearedto you
for this reason, to designate you in advance as a servant and witness to the
things you have seenand to the things in which I will appear to you.
GNT Acts 26:16 ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι καὶ στῆθι ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας σου· εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ
ὤφθην σοι, προχειρίσασθαί σε ὑπηρέτην καὶ μάρτυρα ὧν τε εἶδές [με] ὧν τε
ὀφθήσομαί σοι,
NLT Acts 26:16 Now getto your feet! ForI have appeared to you to appoint
you as my servantand witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen
and what I will show you in the future.
KJV Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto
thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these
things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear
unto thee;

ESV Acts 26:16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you
for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which
you have seenme and to those in which I will appearto you,
CSB Acts 26:16 But getup and stand on your feet. For I have appearedto
you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you
have seenand of what I will revealto you.
NIV Acts 26:16 'Now getup and stand on your feet. I have appearedto you to
appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seenof me and
what I will show you.
NKJ Acts 26:16 `But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you
for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things
which you have seenand of the things which I will yet revealto you.
NRS Acts 26:16 But getup and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you
for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you
have seenme and to those in which I will appear to you.
YLT Acts 26:16 but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appearedto
thee, to appoint thee an officerand a witness both of the things thou didst see,
and of the things in which I will appear to thee,
NAB Acts 26:16 Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you
for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have
seen(of me) and what you will be shown.

NJB Acts 26:16 But getup and stand on your feet, for I have appearedto you
for this reason:to appoint you as my servant and as witness of this vision in
which you have seenme, and of others in which I shall appear to you.
GWN Acts 26:16 Stand up! I have appeared to you for a reason. I'm
appointing you to be a servant and witness of what you have seenand of what
I will show you.
BBE Acts 26:16 But getup on your feet: for I have come to you for this
purpose, to make you a servant and a witness of the things in which you have
seenme, and of those in which you will see me;
get up. Acts 9:6–9;22:10.
to appoint you . Acts 9:15, 16;13:1–4;22:14, 15.
minister. Acts 1:17, 25; 6:4; 20:24;21:19. Ro. 1:5; 15:16. 2 Co. 4:1; 5:18. Ep.
3:7, 8. Col. 1:7, 23, 25. 1 Th. 3:2. 1 Ti. 1:12; 4:6. 2 Ti. 4:5.
but also to the things in which I will appear to you. Acts 18:9, 10;22:17–21;
23:11;27:23, 24. 2 Co. 12:1–7. Gal1:12; 2:2.
Paul Before Agrippa - Video - 7 minutes
See Map of Events Associatedwith Saul's conversionand ministry (Do not
copy - copyrighted by Holman)
Watch video of Paul's arrest and speechbefore the crowd (basedon Acts 22)
Acts 26 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries
PAUL'S APPOINTMENT
TO MINISTER AND WITNESS

So in Acts 26:15 Saul asked"Who are You Lord? but in this version Paul
leaves out that he askedanotherquestion (always a goodone for followers of
Christ to ask)"Whatshall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10+).
But getup and stand on your feet - - Both commands in the aorist imperative
(as are the verbs below that are in red). This is like a military commander
(Jesus "Captainof the Hosts")issuing wartime commands to his division
leaders (like apostle Paulwould soonbe). The old "Nike Commercial" which
said "JustDo It!" accuratelydescribes the sense ofthese commands in aorist
tense. Do this now! Don't delay! Here are Luke's two previous versions of
Saul's Jesus encounter...
And the Lord saidto me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will
be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' (Acts 22:10+)
Comment - Appointed is the verb tasso whichis translated by BDAG as
"concerning everything that you have been orderedto do." The NET version
has "everything that you have been designatedto do," and adds the note that
"designated" couldbe rendered "assigned."Tasso is in the perfect tense
which pictures a past completed actionwith present ongoing effector result.
In other words, this tense depicts the appointment as Paul's standing order so
to speak. It was given to him by Jesus and it was to remain in effectall the
days of his life.
But getup and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” (Acts
9:6+)
Comment - Note the verb must is dei (present tense)which speaks ofan
obligation or necessity. Thesethings are not optional, but mandatory.

For this purpose - a minister (an "under-rower" - see below)and a witness.
I have appearedto you to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the
things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you
- Jesus is recordedas appearing to Paul on severalother occasions -cf. Acts
18:9, 10+;Acts 22:17–21+;Acts 23:11+;2 Cor. 12:1–7;Gal. 1:11–12+, cp2 Ti
4:17+ = 'the Lord stoodwith me")
Jesus spoke to Ananias in Acts 9:15-16 explaining His purpose for Paul
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a choseninstrument of Mine, to bear
My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;for I will show
him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Wiersbe - The word minister in Acts 26:16 means “an under-rower” and
refers to a lowly servant on a galleyship. Paul had been accustomedto being
an honored leader, but after his conversionhe became a subordinate worker;
and Jesus Christ became his Master. The Lord had promised to be with Paul
and protecthim; and He also promised to reveal Himself to him. Paul saw the
Lord on the Damascus road, and againthree years later while in the temple
(Acts 22:17–21). Later, the Lord appearedto him in Corinth (Acts 18:9) and
in Jerusalem(Acts 23:11), and He would appear to him again. (Bible
Exposition Commentary)
NET Note on a minister and a witness - The commissionis similar to Acts
1:8+ and Luke 1:2+. Paul was now an “eyewitness” ofthe Lord.

Larkin on Jesus' choice ofhuperetes - With this term for "assistant" Jesus
stressesthat Paul is to do exactly his master's bidding (Lk 1:2+; Lk 4:20+;
Acts 13:5+)
Minister (5257)(huperetes from hupo = under, beneath + eretes = a rower) is
literally and under oarsmanand then a subordinate, a servant, an attendant
(Lk 4:20), one who is in the service of another or an assistantin general.
Huperetes describes a a helper who willingly submits himself to carrying out
the will of the one over him. In John 7:32, 45, 46 it is used of the Temple
"police" orguards. The subordinate official who waits to accomplishthe
commands of his superior. In Classic Greekhuperetes was a common sailor,
distinguished from a naútes (3492), a seaman, sailor. These were the men
down in the ship's, doing one thing -- rowing and with their eyes on one man,
the man standing at the front of the hull, shouting "Row,Row,Row."!
Servants of the word describes these men as focusedon the word, listening
and acting according to the word. "They not only had personalknowledge of
the facts but also practicalexperience of the facts." (Plummer).
Wiersbe - The one word that best summarizes Paul’s life and ministry is
“witnessing” (seeActs 26:16). He simply shared with others what he had
learned and experiencedas a followerof Jesus Christ. His message wasnot
something he manufactured, for it was basedsolidly on the Old Testament
Scriptures...The Lord has a specialwork for Saul to do. The Hebrew of
Hebrews would become the apostle to the Gentiles;the persecutorwould
become the preacher; and the legalistic Pharisee wouldbecome the great
proclaimer of the grace ofGod.” (Bible Exposition Commentary)
Witness (noun) (3144)(martus/martys)basicallydescribes one who remembers
something and testifies concerning what they remember. Notice that martus
has a two fold meaning of (1) describing one who has seenand/or experienced
something or someone and (2) one who testifies to what he or she saw. The

testimony could be in a legalsetting (Mk 14:63;Acts 6:13; 7:58; Heb. 10:28)
or in the generalsense ofrecounting firsthand knowledge (Lk 11:48;1Ti.
6:12; Heb 12:1; 1Pe 5:1).
Martus in Acts - Acts 1:8; Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32; Acts
6:13; Acts 7:58; Acts 10:39; Acts 10:41; Acts 13:31;Acts 22:15; Acts 22:20;
Acts 26:16
A martus is one who attests to a fact or event, one who gives evidence (testifies
in a court to the truth of a factor event), one who has seenor has personal
knowledge ofsomething or someone, especiallyas an "eye witness" (eg, the
apostles in Acts having and relating their personalknowledge ofJesus'post-
resurrectionappearances). A witness is one who furnishes evidence or proof,
confirming the truth by verbal testimony.
And so in this passagewe see that Jesus is alluding to Paul's divine call and
commission. The implication is that everything he was to do had been "pre-
planned" by God. While believers of course do not have a divine commission
exactly like Paul (who was an apostle), we do have a "pre-planned"
appointment
"Forwe are His workmanship(poiema = masterpiece), createdin Christ
Jesus for goodworks, whichGod prepared beforehand so that we would walk
in them." (Eph 2:10+).
THOUGHT - This truth of God's previously prepared plan for every
believer's life begs the question - Am I walking in His plan? Am I engagedin
carrying out His "goodworks" ormy "works" whichare ultimately not
good? Jesus gave us the pattern for "goodworks"in John 15:5 declaring "I

am the vine, you are the branches;he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears
much fruit, for apart from Me you can do (ABSOLUTELY) nothing." (Read
also 1 Cor 3:11-15)See relateddiscussions ofGoodWorks and Believers as
God's Masterpiece, His Poiema
God pre-planning of His children's steps reminds me of Proverbs...
Proverbs 16:9 "The mind (Literally = "heart" = the "controlcenter")of man
plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps (Ed: One step after another
which is why we need to obey at eachstep! Play Rich Mullins' Sometimes by
Step)."
Comment - What does this proverb teach? It says that only the plans that are
laid out and approved by God will succeed(at leastin regard to eternal value).
This emphasizes God's sovereigntyin our lives.
Proverbs 20:24 "Man’s steps (NLT = "the road we travel") are [ordained]
(Lxx = euthuno = causedto be straight, a ship steeredon course = Jas 3:4) by
the LORD, How then can man understand his way? "
GleasonArcher spoke ofthe mysterious juxtaposition of sovereigntyand free
will writing that "God purposefully pre-sets all the physical 'scenes oflife' –
and keeps allof our choices free (undetermined), i.e. none are required by the
Lord."
THOUGHT - O how wonderful when we seek His will for our life and learn to
walk by the Spirit in His will, for then as Jesus promised we will bear much
fruit. We would be wise to imitate the apostle Paul (1 Cor 11:1) who

continually sought God's will, not his own (Read Acts 18:21, Acts 21:14, Ro
1:10, Ro 15:32, 1 Cor 4:19). Brian Harbour said, “PauldiscoveredChrist not
only wanted to save him from something, but He also wanted to save him for
something... We need to realize that as a Christian there are gifts that God has
given us, and He expects us to use those gifts in performing a ministry for
Him.”
Ray Stedman makes some observations onget up...I have appearedto you to
appoint you a minister and a witness noting that this "indicates a tremendous
reversalof this man's whole approachto life. He is now experiencing the
lifestyle which belongs to a Christian. "You are not your own; you are bought
with a price. You will be told what to do." That is what conversionis: It is a
change from thinking that you can run your own life, to an acknowledgment
that God holds the program in his hands, and he has the right to tell you what
to do. This was the first thing Paul experiencedwhen he became a Christian,
this right of Jesus Christ to be Lord, and to tell him what he was to do.
Conversionis a revolutionary change of government resulting in a radical
change in behavior. That is what happened to Paul. He was put on a wholly
different lifestyle. He was told to go into the city. Now he would no longer be
giving the orders. He would no longerbe directing men and sending them
where he wanted them to go and doing what he wanted to do, but he would be
told what he was to do." (BelovedEnemy)
OswaldChambers - The overmastering direction
I have appearedunto thee for this purpose. Acts 26:16.
The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was no passing emotion, but a
vision that had very clearand emphatic directions for him, and he says—“I
was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” Our Lord said, in effect, to

Paul—‘Your whole life is to be overmasteredby Me; you are to have no end,
no aim, and no purpose but Mine.’ ‘I have chosenhim.’ When we are born
againwe all have visions, if we are spiritual at all, of what Jesus wants us to
be, and the greatthing is to learn not to be disobedient to the vision, not to say
that it cannot be attained. It is not sufficient to know that God has redeemed
the world, and to know that the Holy Spirit canmake all that Jesus did
effectualin me; I must have the basis of a personalrelationship to Him. Paul
was not given a messageora doctrine to proclaim, he was brought into a
vivid, personal, overmastering relationship to Jesus Christ. Verse 16 is
immensely commanding—“to make thee a minister and a witness.” There is
nothing there apart from the personalrelationship. Paul was devoted to a
Personnot to a cause. He was absolutelyJesus Christ’s; he saw nothing else;
he lived for nothing else. “ForI determined not to know anything among you,
save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
WHAT'S NEXT?" Having just receivedthe Lord Jesus as his Saviorfrom sin,
an enthusiastic young boy blurted out, "Now whatdo I do? What's next?" He
had the right idea! Although nothing further had to be done to receive
salvation, there was much more to do to serve God.
The Bible, in Ephesians 2:8-9, makes it crystal-clearthat we are savedby
grace through faith. We could never do anything to deserve salvation. The
best we have to offer is not goodenough to meet the Lord's holy standards.
We experience forgiveness ofsin, find peace with God, have the promise of
heaven and become possessorsofeverlasting life by trusting the Lord Jesus
and Him alone. It is impossible for anyone to earn these favors!
Following conversion, however, we should respond as that young boy and the
apostle Paul did, "Now whatdo I do? What's next?" Immediately after
stating that we are not savedby works, Ephesians 2 tells us, "We are His

workmanship, createdin Christ Jesus for goodworks, whichGod prepared
beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10).
Find there's faith, then comes service. We believe to become Christians. We
serve because we have been saved. That's what's next! - R W De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Oh, what can I give to the Master,
The One who from sin set me free?
I'll give Him a lifetime of service
To thank Him for dying for me.
- K. De Haan
We cannotwork for salvation,
but salvationis followedby works.
Be a Witness - Bob Gass
I have appearedunto thee … to make thee a witness … Delivering thee from
the people. (Acts 26:16,17)
You’re not called to be a judge, and you’re not calledto be a lawyer; you’re
calledto be a witness to God’s saving and keeping powerin your life. Only
talk about the God you’ve experienced! Tellpeople what He’s done for you.

Their God may be a distant deity who doesn’t getinvolved. Or He may be
angry with them because He’s an auditor, and their books don’t balance.
When nine out of ten people don’t go to church, there’s got to be a reason.
We’ve been calledto be “saltand light,” but if the light is not shining and the
salt is not doing its job, how will they ever be reachedand won? (See Matthew
5:13–14.)
Please notice whatGod said to Paul, for it’s a keyfor you. He promised to
“deliver him from the people” (Acts 26:17). Some of us need to be delivered
from the people!Love them; lead them; lay down your life for them—but
don’t be afraid of them. If you’re anointed, then your authority comes from
God, not them. When you’ve heard clearly from Him, you can face anybody!
When God fills you with His Spirit, you’ll receive a new boldness. Look at
Peter;a few days ago he was denying Jesus and running from a mere girl;
now he’s preaching to multitudes and winning them to Christ. What
happened? He was empoweredby the Holy Spirit!
TODAY GOD WANTS TO FILL YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT, TO SET YOU
FREE FROM THE PEOPLE, AND MAKE YOU A WITNESS.WILL YOU
LET HIM? (A FreshWord for Today)
God's Work Upon Minister and Convert - C. H. Spurgeon. Acts 26:16-18
I. A WORK WROUGHT BY GOD UPON THE MINISTER.
1. Subjugation. While a man is a rebel, the Lord does not appoint him an
ambassador;while he is dead in sin, a preacherof the wayof life. Paul was
struck down; for if he had not fallen, he would not have knownhow to lift
others up. He remained blind for three days; otherwise he would not have
been qualified to deal with others in darkness. See whatGod does in His
ministers to fit them for your conversion. In order to slay your sins the shaft

has been polished. Each of the best locks made by our eminent locksmiths is
unique, and eachneeds its own specialkey:so God fits certain men for
reaching certain men.
2. Encouragement. "Rise, andstand upon thy feet." Men can hardly be very
useful till they ceaseto be despondent, and become energetic and hopeful. I
have noticed that those who do not believe that they will be successfulseldom
are so;but those who rise and stand upon their feet, and manfully expect that
God will bless them, are not disappointed.
3. Ordination. And to this end he must see the Lord for himself. Our Lord's
appearing —
(1) Makes him willing to be a servant, for that is the meaning of the word
"minister." When the renewed mind beholds the Lord, it cries out, "What
wilt Thou have me to do?"
(2) Qualifies him to actas a witness. We cannotbear witness to that which we
have never seen. Hearsayis of small value. Heads are won by reasoning, but
hearts are won by witness bearing.
4. Continuous instruction. He is to be a witness not only of those things which
he has seen, but also of those things in the which the Lord will yet appear unto
him.
5. Constantpreservation. "Delivering thee from the people," etc. Paul's life
was always in danger, and yet never in real peril, for the Lord was his keeper.
So shall every true servant of Christ be kept as with a garrisonfrom all evil.

II. THE WORK WROUGHT IN THE HEARER.
1. Illumination: the Lord sends His servant "to open their eyes." Menare
born blind, and continue blind till, by the power of Jesus, sightis given to
them. Your educationand surroundings have perhaps placeda film of
prejudice over your eyes;if a candid, childlike spirit were given you, you
would see. Or possibly some favourite sin is like a cataractupon the eye of
your conscience, andyou cannot see the evil of sin or the beauty of holiness.
Or it may be that unbelief darkens your soul.
2. Conversion:"to turn them from darkness to light." What a blessedturning
is that which makes us face truth, and goodness, andGod, and heaven; and
leave ignorance, sin, and hell behind.
3. Translation. As the soul is brought into a new element, so is it also brought
under a new government. "From the power of Satanunto God." Somebody
says, "I do not understand how this can be performed in a minute." Well, two
men are fighting, and we beg them to leave off. Do you recommend them to
leave off gradually? If anybody held a pistol at my head, I should not say,
"Take it awayby degrees."Changesofmind such as are necessaryto
conversionhad need be quick when sin is to be forsaken, forevery moment
deepens the guilt. It may seema very gradual process by which a man who
was dead comes to life; but for certain there is a point at which he left the
dead and became alive, and that point God sees very clearly, even though we
do not.
4. Complete forgiveness. The same moment that we receive Christ, we
"receive forgivenessofsins and inheritance among them which are
sanctified." What a blessing to become an heir of God! To what choice

company is a sinner introduced when he believes in Jesus!He is a freeholder
among the burgesses ofthe New Jerusalem.
5. And all this has for its certificate and mark of genuineness these words —
"By faith that is in Me." The whole process ofsalvationis by faith.
III. A WORK WHICH MUST BE DONE BY THE HEARER HIMSELF.
This text speaks ofPaul being an instrument in the hands of Godof opening
men's eyes, etc., and they seemto be passive;but now they are calledupon to
be active. We are createdthinking, intelligent beings, and we are savedas
such. Neverlet us forget either the free agencyof man or the purposes of God.
Grace reigns not over slaves, but over obedient children.
1. You must repent. It is not the work of God the Holy Ghost to repent for
you, but to lead you to repent.
2. You must turn to God. Your prayer may be, "Turn thou me, and I shall be
turned"; but the command is, "Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?" God will
turn you, but you have willingly to yield, and thus turn yourself.
3. You must do works meet for repentance;for whereverthere is true faith
there will be corresponding works, suchas these: restitution if you have
wrongedanyone, reconciliationif you are at enmity with anyone,
acknowledgmentif you have spokenfalsely, giving up of evil habits, and an
earnestendeavorto be pure and holy.
Acts 26:17 rescuing you from the Jewishpeople and from the Gentiles, to
whom I am sending you,

Amplified - Choosing you out [selecting you for Myself] and delivering you
from among this [Jewish]people and the Gentiles to whom I am sending
you— (cp Ezekiel2:3)
NET Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the
Gentiles, to whom I am sending you
GNT Acts 26:17 ἐξαιρούμενός σε ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἐθνῶν εἰς οὓς ἐγὼ
ἀποστέλλω σε
NLT Acts 26:17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the
Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles
KJV Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto
whom now I send thee,
ESV Acts 26:17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles-- to
whom I am sending you
CSB Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles. I
now send you to them
NIV Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the
Gentiles. I am sending you to them

NKJ Acts 26:17 `I will deliver you from the Jewishpeople, as well as from the
Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
NRS Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles--to
whom I am sending you
YLT Acts 26:17 delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom
now I send thee,
NAB Acts 26:17 I shall deliver you from this people and from the Gentiles to
whom I send you,
NJB Acts 26:17 I shall rescue you from the people and from the nations to
whom I send you
GWN Acts 26:17 I will rescue you from the Jewishpeople and from the non-
Jewishpeople to whom I am sending you.
BBE Acts 26:17 And I will keepyou safe from the people, and from the
Gentiles, to whom I send you,
Rescuing - Acts 9:23–25, 29, 30;13:50;14:5, 6, 19, 20;16:39; 17:10, 14;18:10,
12–16;19:28, Acts 21:28–36;22:21, 22;23:10–24;25:3, 9–11;27:42–44. Ps
34:19;37:32, 33. 2 Co. 1:8–10;4:8–10;11:23–26.2 Ti. 3:11; 4:16, 17.
Gentiles. Acts 9:15; 22:21;28:28. Ro. 11:13; 15:16. Gal2:9. Ep. 3:7, 8. 1 Ti.
2:7. 2 Ti. 1:11; 4:17.

GOD'S RESCUE MISSION FOR
HIS MISSIONARYPAUL
Rescuing you from the Jewishpeople and from the Gentiles, to whom I am
sending you - Jesus commissionsPaulto be an apostle for missions. Recall
that in order for one to be an official apostle of Jesus in the NT, they had to
have been an eyewitness ofthe resurrectedChrist (Acts 1:21–22), andPaul
was (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8).
Rescuing (delivering) (1807)(exaireofrom ek = out + hairéo = choose, elect,
take)means to rescue or setsomeone free from danger - Paul had been in
danger of being killed severaltimes by the Jews (Acts 9:22, 23, 24+, Acts 9:28,
29+, Acts 21:31+, Acts 23:12-15+, Acts 25:3+)and even by the Gentiles (egged
on by the Jews)had tried to kill him at Lystra (Acts 14:19, 20+). Delivering,
plucking out, drawing out, rescuing, which is what Jesus did for all of us
giving "Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this presentevil
age, according to the will of our God and Father." (Gal 1:4+) Luke used this
word to describe God's rescue of Israelfrom Egyptian bondage (Acts 7:34), of
God's angel rescuing Peterfrom the jail and the hand fo Herod (Acts 12:11+),
and of the RomanClaudius Lysius rescuing Paul from the Jews who were
about to kill him (Acts 23:27+).
Exaireo in NT - Matt. 5:29; Matt. 18:9; Acts 7:10; Acts 7:34; Acts 12:11; Acts
23:27;Acts 26:17; Gal. 1:4

Marshallpoints out that "The accountof Paul’s call is similar to that of the
prophets of Israel (cf. Ezek. 2:1), and God’s promise of protection to him also
has Old Testamentechoes (Jer. 1:8; 1 Chr. 16:35). (Ibid)
Larkin on Gentiles to whom I am sending you - The direct Gentile mission, so
offensive to his fellow Jews, is so necessaryin God's saving plan that it is even
part of the gospelmessage (Lk 24:46-47+ where "allthe nations" is equivalent
to "Gentiles"). It must ever determine the targetaudience of Paul's mission
and ever be the flash point of opposition to it (Acts 9:15+; Acts 13:46-50+;
Acts 22:15, 21-22+). All who will answerChrist's call to be witnesseswill face
the challenge ofresponding with courage and confidence. (Ibid)
I am sending (present tense)(649)(apostellofrom apo = from, awayfrom +
stello = to withdraw from, avoid) means to send off, to send forth. To send out
or commissionas a representative or ambassador. The idea is to send forth
from one place to another - Paul was going in place of Jesus and the same
principle applies to all saints today for we are all to be "ambassadors for
Christ." (2 Cor 5:20+)But the meaning of apostello is more than just to send
because it means "to send off on a commissionto do something as one’s
personalrepresentative, with credentials furnished" (Wuest)
TODAY IN THE WORD
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to
light. - Acts 26:17-18
In Sumerian mythology, the hero Gilgameshwent to the island of Dilmun in
searchof eternallife. In 1953, archaeologistT. GeoffreyBibby discoveredthe
historicalreality. Dilmun turned out to be a 4,000-year-oldcity buried under

the current city of Manama, the capitalof Bahrain, an island state off the
coastofSaudi Arabia. Dilmun had been a rich, independent trading center
strategicallylocatedbetweenthe Middle Eastand India. Despite these
advantages, it still could not offer eternal life. In order to truly find eternal
life, there is only one Way—Jesus Christ. At this point, Paul was still in prison
on vague charges stemming from the incident we read about yesterday. A new
governor, Festus, had just arrived and was trying to figure out what to do
with his mysterious prisoner. He scheduleda specialhearing so King Agrippa
and QueenBernice could hear the man and so he himself could try to
understand enough to write a coherentreport to Rome. The circumstances
were different—a royal court insteadof barracks steps—butone thing hadn't
changed:Paul's enthusiasm to seize any and all opportunities to share the
gospel. Forthe occasion, his style was more formal, but this testimony follows
a similar arc that we saw yesterday. Because Agrippa understood Jewish
culture, Paul described his background as a model Jew, explained how
through the prophets God had promised the Messiah, and againwas painfully
honest about his early, hate-filled oppositionto Christ. He told his dramatic
Damascus roadexperience, but telescopedthe story in order to dwell more on
the change itself(vv. 16-18). His life of ministry proved his personal integrity,
as he emphasized his obedience, consistencyin life and message, and
dependence on God. The Resurrectionwas the stumbling block to his
listeners, though—Festus found it insane and Agrippa could not acceptthe
concept. Two powerful testimonies … and yet not a single convert. We can
take encouragementfrom this—we don't measure success throughthe
number of converts but from our faithful willingness to share the gospel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY Having seenseveralexamples of Paul's
testimony, given in various circumstances to various audiences, begin crafting
a version of your own personaltestimony. Choose anaudience—perhaps a
neighbor, co-worker, orextended family member—and considerhow to
present the gospeland the way you came to faith in a way that this personcan
understand clearly and might find attractive. Work on your testimony
wheneveryou can, and later this month share it with the person you chose.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light
and from the dominion of Satanto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctifiedby faith in Me.'
NET Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satanto God, so that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
GNT Acts 26:18 ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν, τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς
φῶς καὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν, τοῦ λαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ἄφεσιν
ἁμαρτιῶνκαὶ κλῆρονἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ.
NLT Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satanto God. Then they will receive forgiveness for
their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are setapart by faith
in me.'
KJV Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satanunto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctifiedby faith that is in me.
ESV Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to
light and from the power of Satanto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and a place among those who are sanctifiedby faith in me.'

CSB Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satanto God, that by faith in Me they may receive
forgiveness ofsins and a share among those who are sanctified.'
NIV Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and
from the powerof Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness ofsins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
NKJ Acts 26:18 `to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satanto God, that they may receive forgiveness
of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
NRS Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to
light and from the power of Satanto God, so that they may receive forgiveness
of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
YLT Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness
of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that is toward
me.
NAB Acts 26:18 to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satanto God, so that they may obtain forgiveness of
sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecratedby faith in
me.'

NJB Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to
light, from the dominion of Satanto God, and receive, through faith in me,
forgiveness oftheir sins and a share in the inheritance of the sanctified."
GWN Acts 26:18 You will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to
light and from Satan's controlto God's. Then they will receive forgiveness for
their sins and a share among God's people who are made holy by believing in
me.'
BBE Acts 26:18 To make their eyes open, turning them from the dark to the
light, and from the power of Satanto God, so that they may have forgiveness
of sins and a heritage among those who are made holy by faith in me.
open their eyes. Acts 9:17, 18. Ps 119:18;146:8. Isa 29:18;32:3; 35:5; 42:7;
43:8. Lu. 4:18; 24:45. Jn 9:39. 2 Co. 4:4, 6. Ep. 1:18.
so that they may turn. Acts 26:23; Acts 13:47. Isa 9:2; 49:6; 60:1–3. Mal. 4:2.
Mt 4:16; 6:22, 23. Lu. 1:79; 2:32. Jn 1:4–9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35, 36. 2 Co.
4:6; 6:14. Ep. 1:18; 4:18; 5:8, 14. 1 Th. 5:4–8. 1 Pe. 2:9, 25. 1 Jn 2:8, 9.
from the powerof Satan. Isa 49:24, 25;53:8–12. Lu. 11:21, 22. Col. 1:13. 2 Ti.
2:26. Heb 2:14, 15. 1 Jn 3:8; 5:19. 1 Pe. 2:9. Rev 20:2, 3.
that they may receive forgiveness. Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38, 39. Ps
32:1, 2. Lu. 1:77; 24:47. Ro. 4:6–9. 1 Co. 6:10, 11. Ep. 1:7. Col. 1:14. 1 Jn 1:9;
2:12.
and an inheritance. Acts 20:32. Ro. 8:17. Ep. 1:11, 14. Col. 1:12. Heb 9:15.
James 2:5. 1 Pe. 1:4.
who have been sanctified. Acts 20:32. Jn 17:17. 1 Co. 1:2, 30;6:11. Titus 3:5,
6. Heb 10:10, 14. Jude 1. Rev 21:27.

by faith. Acts 15:9. Jn 4:10, 14;7:38, 39. Ro. 5:1, 2. Gal2:20; 3:2, 14. Ep. 2:8.
Heb 11:6.
Benjamin Warfield's sermon The Summation of the Gospel - Acts 26:18
Greek - anoixai (AAN) opthalmous auton tou epistrepsai (AAN) apo skotous
eis phos kai tes exousias tou Satana epi ton theon tou labein (AAN) autous
aphesin hamartion kaikleron en tois hegiasmenois (RPPMPD)pisteith eis
eme
Amplified - To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and
from the powerof Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and
release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are
consecratedand purified by faith in Me.
My Loose Paraphrase - To supernaturally open the eyes of our heart
(circumcising our heart, giving us a new heart, a heart of flesh for a heart of
stone)which enables us (by the power of the Spirit indwelling our new heart)
to turn from spiritual darkness of Satan's kingdom to the glorious light of
God's kingdom, from the right and the might that Satanonce exercisedover
us, to the benevolent powerof our loving Masterand God, so that we may
receive forgiveness ofsins and release from our spiritual debt to God (as well
as release from the powerand penalty of sin and one day future even from the
presence and pleasure of sin) and an inheritance which is imperishable,
undefiled and will not fade away, reservedin heavenfor us who are setapart
from the world and unto God, made holy foreverin our position clothed in the
righteousness ofChrist all this actuated solelyby genuine faith (shown
genuine by changedlives, loving obedience and enduring spiritual fruit) in
Jesus Christ and His Gospelof salvation.

THE GOSPELOPENS
THE EYES OF OUR HEART
Open their eyes - A figure of speechto open their eyes spiritually.
D L Moody - I REMEMBER one night when the Bible was the driest and
darkestbook in the universe to me. The next day it was all light. I had the key
to it. I had been born of the Spirit. But before I knew anything of the mind of
God in His word I had to give up my sin.
To open: The purpose of Paul's witness and proclamationwas to open their
eyes to eternal Truth which produces a change in THINKING which results
in a NEW DIRECTION, DOMINION, DESTINY, & ''DOWRY''. Acts 14:27,
Rev 3:7,8,20]
Open their eyes - Cross References
Act 9:17 And Ananias departed and enteredthe house, and after laying his
hands on him said, "BrotherSaul, the Lord Jesus, who appearedto you on the
road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regainyour
sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from
his eyes something like scales, andhe regainedhis sight, and he arose and was
baptized;
Ed: Now Paul had not only his physical eyes openedbut more importantly his
spiritual eyes opened!

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law.
Ed: A greatprayer to pray to our Fatherbefore we open His Word. It is a
supernatural Word and needs supernatural "assistance!" - see Illumination of
the Bible
Ps 146:8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises up those
who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous;
Ed: Jesus did open a few eyes spiritually (and God canstill do that!) but more
significantly Jesus opens the eyes of the spiritually blind (even as he did for
Fannie Crosbyalthough she remained physically blind all her life. What a
supernatural paradox that so many of her hymns speak of spiritual sight!)
Blessedassurance,Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washedin His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviorall the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfectsubmission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes ofmercy, whispers of love.
Perfectsubmission, all is at rest,
I in my Savioram happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness,lostin His love.
Isa 29:18 And on that day the deaf shall hear words of a book, And out of
their gloomand darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
Ed: This is a a prophetic promise which God will fulfill in the Messianic
Kingdom
John MacArthur - The spiritual blindness of Israelwill no longerexist. Jesus
gives the words an additional meaning, applying it to His ministry of physical
healing for the deaf and blind (Mt 11:5; cf. Isa 35:5).
Isa 32:3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, And the ears of
those who hear will listen.
Kingdom

Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf
will be unstopped.
Kingdom
Isa 42:7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And
those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
Isa 43:8 Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And
the deaf, even though they have ears.
Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, BecauseHe anointed Me to
preach the gospelto the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the
captives, And recoveryof sight to the blind, To set free those who are
downtrodden,
Luke 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
John 9:39 And Jesus said, "Forjudgment I came into this world, that those
who do not see may see;and that those who see may become blind."
2 Co 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the
unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospelof the glory of
Christ, who is the image of God.

2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness,"is the One
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge ofthe glory of
God in the face of Christ.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that (1)
you may know what is the hope of His calling, (2) what are the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is (3) the surpassing
greatness ofHis power towardus who believe.
Ed: This is Paul's prayer for believers! Beloved, let us pray this for one
another, believing God will answerit! This passage has just been prayed for
as you read the note! I covetyour prayers!
Study the uses of the relatedverb dianoigo (derived from anoigo)and found in
Lu 24:45, Acts 16:14-note, Acts 17:3-note
Open (455)(anoigo from ana = again+ oigo = to open) means to open, to open
up, to open again, to give accessto. To open one's eyes causing them to see
(Acts 26:18). To open one's mouth that they might begin to speak (Mt 5:2).
Figuratively, to open a "door" meaning to make possible (Col4:3). Luke
records the parallel passages (Lk 11:9, 10). Of heavens open = have the
heavens opened or divided so that celestialthings become manifest - Mt 3:16;
Lu 3:21; Jn 1:51; Acts 7:56; 10:11; Rev19:11; (Lxx of the following passages)
Isa 64:1; Ezek 1:1; Ps 78:23. In 2 Cor 6:11 the idea is to pour out one’s mind,
open one’s heart, to speak fully and frankly. Anoigo is used in NT and Lxx of
Jesus not opening His mouth - Not to open one’s mouth = not to utter
complaints (Acts 8:32; Isa 53:7 cp Ps 38:14; 39:9)

NET Note on to open their eyes so that... - Here is Luke’s most comprehensive
report of Paul’s divine calling. His role was to call humanity to change their
position before God and experience God’s forgiveness as a part of God’s
family. The image of turning is a keyone in the NT: Luke 1:79; Rom 2:19;
13:12;2 Cor 4:6; 6:14; Eph 5:8; Col 1:12; 1 Th 5:5. See also Luke 1:77–79;
3:3; 24:47.
Here is an old Maranatha classic "OpenOur Eyes" - while I don't agree with
the "reachout and touch Him" lyrics, I do agree with the prayer that God
might open the spiritual eyes of our heart to see by faith as Paul prayed in
Ephesians 1:18-19+ "Ipray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so
that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of
His powertoward us who believe. These are in accordance withthe working
of the strength of His might"
TURNED FROM SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
UNTO SPIRITUAL LIGHT
So that they may turn - This is a descriptive definition of repentance. A
purposeful, personal (not private) decisionto turn to God (as the Spirit leads
to repentance = Ro 2:4) not only in mind but in conduct. Repent! Return!
Why do they need to turn? That they may receive forgiveness...thatbrings joy
to one's heart because sinweighs one's heart down as David taught in [Ps
32:3-4] The power of God's forgiveness is also taught in [Pr 28:13]
Turn (1994)(epistrepho from epí = motion toward+ strepho = twist, turn
quite around or reverse)means to revert, to turn about, to turn around, to
turn toward, to return and figuratively to convert. The idea is a definite turn

to God in conduct as wellas in one's mind. Study the 39 uses below and note
the associationwith repentance and conversion.
ResourcesonRepentance:
Repent (3340)metanoeo
Repentance (3341)metanoia
Vines' Expository Dictionary Repent, Repentance
Girdlestone's Synonyms of the OT Repentance
Nave TopicalBible Repentance
ScofieldReference Index Repentance
Thompson Chain Reference Repentance
The Topic Concordance Repentance
Torrey TopicalTextbook Repentance
American Tract SocietyRepentance
BridgewayBible Dictionary Repentance
BakerEvangelicalDictionaryRepentance
Charles Buck Dictionary Repentance
Chabad Knowledge Base Tendays of repentance
CARM TheologicalDictionaryRepentance
Easton's Bible Dictionary Repentance
Holman Bible Dictionary Repentance ofGod
Hastings'Dictionary of the Bible Repentance

Hastings'Dictionary of the NT Repentance Repentance(2)
King James DictionaryRepentance
Morrish Bible Dictionary Repentance
Hawker's PoorMan's Dictionary Repentance
WebsterDictionary Repentance
Watson's TheologicalDictionaryRepentance
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Repentance
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Repentance
The JewishEncyclopedia Repentance
From darkness to light - Unbelievers are blinded to spiritual truth by Satan,
"the god of this world (who) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that
they might not see the light of the gospelofthe glory of Christ, who is the
image of God.(2 Co 4:4+). Paul describes them as "being darkenedin their
understanding, excluded from the life of God because ofthe ignorance that is
in them, because ofthe hardness of their heart; and they, having become
callous, have given themselves overto sensuality for the practice of every kind
of impurity with greediness."(Eph 4:18-19+)But God is greaterthan Satan
and He is light and in Him there is no darkness at all and it is "God, who said,
“Light shall shine out of darkness" (2 Cor4:6+) "brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Ti 1:10+). God "is the One Who
has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge ofthe glory of God
in the face of Christ." (2 Cor4:6+)
John Phillips wrote, “We must never minimize the power and authority of
Satanover the lives, beliefs, actions, words, and destiny of the lost. The Lord
never does. People are Satan’s captives. He is the prince and god of this
world... He holds people captive with lies and with lusts. This world is his lair.
He is both a serpentand a roaring lion, and he canappear as an angelof light.

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