Acts 26

http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+26/

Paul begins to tell his story in order to defend himself in front of Agrippa. He tells the king that the only reason he stands on trial today is because he believes God keeps his promises. The Jews claim to believe that God is all powerful, yet they cannot believe that He can bring someone back to life. Then, he tells the whole story of how he despised the church, tried to bring it down by arresting and persecuting believers, and finally changed his ways on the road to Damascus. Furthermore, he tells the king that he has done exactly what God has asked him to do: spread the Good News to Jews and gentiles, important and non-important people. God even put him on trial that day so that he could speak the Good News in front of all of those present. Festus calls PAul crazy, but Paul simply says everything he's said is sane and true. Paul doesn't think Festus understands because the governor is not familiar with the Jewish ways; however, Paul wants Agrippa to hear him because the king believes in the prophets and Moses. King Agrippa asks Paul if he expects him to become a Christian right then, and Paul responds that he wishes everyone listening would convert so that they could live for eternity in Heaven and be spared from Hell. Paul even hopes his enemies are saved. When all of the people leave the court, they discuss how Paul could have been let go if he hadn't appealed his case to the emperor. But God had a plan for PAul to go to Rome, and He is behind everything, actively controlling our circumstances.