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Acts 26:16-18

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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; 17. Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18. To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Acts 26:16-18 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 26:16

Theological / Devotional

Make thee a minister. See on Acts 9:10, 15, where God instructs Paul through His representative, Ananias of Damascus.

Which thou hast seen. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between this and the reading “in which you have seen me.” Paul actually saw his Lord (Acts 22:17, 18; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8). It was on the basis of this direct commission that Paul laid his claim to apostleship. He knew by personal experience that Christ was risen indeed (cf. Gal. 1:15—18; 1 Tim. 2:7). To be genuine, a witness must have firsthand knowledge of that concerning which he testifies.

I will appear. Christ appeared to Paul upon repeated occasions, to guide and to intervene (see Acts 18:9, 10; 22:17-21; 23:11; 1 Cor. 11:23; 2 Cor. 12:1-5). Paul was an eyewitness of the risen Lord, and knew from personal experience the truth of the resurrection.

By SdaBc