Acts 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants Permission

“If God can save me, then God can save you. Anybody can be saved because I was the worst of the worst.” - Pastor Chris Reed

In this episode of The Tree Church Bible Study, Pastors Stacey Crawford, Mary Johnson, and Chris Reed continue walking through the book of Acts, focusing on Acts 26:1–11. The passage places Paul in a large public setting, standing before King Agrippa and other leaders, finally given the opportunity to speak in his own defense.

Paul’s situation is intense. He is in chains, surrounded by people who largely oppose him, and facing leaders with real authority over his future. Yet instead of responding with fear or defensiveness, Paul welcomes the opportunity. He sees this moment not simply as a trial, but as a chance to explain his faith and testify to what God has done in his life.

Understanding the context of King Agrippa is critical. Agrippa is not unfamiliar with Jewish customs, laws, or controversies. This makes the moment especially significant, because Paul can speak to someone who understands the framework of Israel’s hopes and promises.

As Paul begins his defense, he immediately establishes common ground. He explains that he was raised and trained as a Jew, educated in Jerusalem, and a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of the Jewish faith. This is not background information for sympathy. It is intentional connection.

Paul makes it clear that the accusations against him are not about rebellion or criminal behavior. They center on hope. Specifically, his hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise to raise the dead.

The pastors highlight how strategic this approach is. Paul does not dismiss Jewish belief. Instead, he shows that his faith in Jesus is a continuation of it. The resurrection is not a new idea introduced by Paul. It has always been central to Jewish hope. The difference is that Paul believes the resurrection has already begun in Jesus.

By grounding his defense in shared belief, Paul invites his audience to listen rather than react.

One of the most striking elements of Paul’s defense is his honesty about his past. He openly describes his former life as a persecutor of Christians. He acknowledges imprisoning believers, casting votes against them, and pursuing them even into foreign cities.

Rather than weakening his argument, Paul’s past strengthens it.
The pastors discuss how Paul’s history gives credibility to his testimony. He is not speaking as an outsider who never understood Jewish zeal. He once lived it. He believed the same things his accusers believe. His transformation was not gradual or convenient. It was radical.

Paul’s story demonstrates that transformation is possible even for someone deeply opposed to Jesus. His past becomes evidence of God’s power rather than a source of shame.

“Our past is important because it’s what led us to Jesus.” - Pastor Stacey Crawford

Pastor Stacey shares a personal example of walking through criticism and rejection while remaining confident in God’s calling. She explains that her ability to keep moving forward is not rooted in outcomes but in certainty about what God has spoken.

Paul operates from the same foundation. He stands confidently because the church had prayed over him and affirmed the Spirit’s leading. His obedience flows from conviction, not convenience.

This kind of obedience often feels costly. It may involve misunderstanding, loss, or opposition. Yet Paul demonstrates that obedience grounded in calling provides stability when circumstances are uncertain.

The conversation turns toward how believers today often struggle with their own past. Many people feel disqualified by mistakes, failures, or ongoing struggles. The pastors emphasize that Paul’s life directly challenges that mindset.

Paul does not deny his past, but he also refuses to let it define him. His identity is no longer rooted in who he was, but in who God has made him. That shift changes everything.

Rather than locking someone in shame, God redeems the past and uses it to bring hope to others. Struggles and failures can become points of connection, encouragement, and ministry when surrendered to God.

The pastors also note that following Jesus does not mean struggles instantly disappear. Growth is ongoing. Faith involves learning to live out a new identity, even while God continues shaping the heart.

A major theme of the discussion is identity in Christ. Paul understands that his obedience flows from who he already is, not from trying to earn God’s approval. He is no longer condemned. He belongs to God.

This identity-first approach changes how believers pursue holiness, obedience, and faithfulness. Instead of being driven by guilt or fear, life is shaped by gratitude and trust.

The pastors explain that when identity is rooted in Christ, behavior begins to follow. This does not eliminate effort or discipline, but it reframes it. Obedience becomes a response to grace, not a requirement for acceptance.

“No one is too far gone to receive the grace and mercy from Jesus.” - Pastor Mary Johnson

While Paul’s defense takes place before kings and leaders, the pastors remind listeners that sharing faith is not limited to grand moments. Testimony happens in everyday conversations, relationships, and interactions.

Paul’s life shows that every opportunity can be used to point to Jesus, whether before a crowd or one person at a time. Faithfulness is not measured by platform size, but by willingness to speak honestly about what God has done.

The episode encourages listeners to see their story as part of God’s work, even when it feels ordinary or unfinished.

Acts 26:1–11 reveals more than a courtroom defense. It reveals how God redeems lives, reframes identity, and uses personal history for His purposes. Paul’s confidence does not come from his innocence or strength, but from the hope found in Jesus and the resurrection.

The discussion closes with a reminder that no past is wasted when surrendered to God. Redemption reshapes everything, offering freedom from shame and a future defined by grace.