Acts 26:1-32 - Paul's Before and After Story
Good morning, everyone. I hope you're having a great day so far.
There are moments in history when a single meeting between two people radically changes everything that comes after. Before they met, the world was one way, and after, it was never the same again.
A few decades ago, there was a college student named Eduardo who met another student named Mark. Together, Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook, and since then, the way we communicate has never been the same.
Around the same time, a young man named Steve met another Steve—one was in high school, the other in college. That was Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Their meeting led to the creation of Apple, and now most of us carry a smartphone in our pockets.
Even in fiction, we see this pattern. A young man named Luke met an older man named Obi-Wan, and the galaxy was never the same again.
These meetings—before and after—change everything.
Now, for most of us, our meetings may not reshape the entire world like Zuckerberg and Saverin or Jobs and Wozniak. But if you look back, you can probably identify key moments when meeting someone changed your life forever.
For me, one of the most impactful meetings in my life was meeting my wife. There was my life before I met her, and my life after, and everything changed.
Maybe for you, it was meeting your children for the first time. Maybe it was meeting a lifelong friend who changed your perspective.
But the most important "before and after" moment in anyone’s life is when they meet Jesus. And today, we’re going to look at a man named Paul, who divided his life into two parts: before he met Jesus and after.
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### **Paul's Story: Before and After Meeting Jesus**
In Acts 26, Paul shares his own before-and-after story. If you’re here and you follow Christ, take a moment to think about your own story. When did you meet Jesus? What was life like before? How has it changed since?
And if you’re here just exploring faith, listen in and see what it means to have a life that is radically transformed by Christ.
Turn with me to **Acts 26**, and take this idea with you:
**God wants to use your before-and-after story to tell others about Him.**
At this point in Acts 26, Paul is on trial before King Herod Agrippa. If you’ve been with us the last few weeks, you know Paul had come to Jerusalem, was arrested, and nearly killed. He was moved to **Caesarea** under Roman protection. He had already stood trial before **Festus**, but Festus didn’t know what to do with him. Now, he’s standing before **King Agrippa**, recounting his life story.
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### **Paul’s Life Before Meeting Jesus**
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Paul begins by explaining his life before he met Christ.
> "So Agrippa said to Paul, 'You have permission to speak for yourself.' Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
> 'I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, that I make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.'" *(Acts 26:1-3)*
It's ironic that Paul stands before **Herod Agrippa**, the great-grandson of **Herod the Great**, who tried to kill baby Jesus by slaughtering infants in Bethlehem. Agrippa's father, **Herod Agrippa I**, was the one who had **James, the brother of John, killed**. And now, Paul is standing before this Herod, saying, "I consider myself fortunate to stand before you."
Then, Paul shares his story:
> “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time… that according to the strictest party of our religion, I have lived as a Pharisee.” *(Acts 26:4-5)*
Paul was a **Pharisee**, one of the most devout followers of Jewish law. He studied the Scriptures daily, prayed constantly, and followed every law to the letter. He was **zealous** for God, waiting for Him to fulfill His promises.
> “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. I locked up many saints in prison… when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” *(Acts 26:9-10)*
Before meeting Jesus, Paul actively **persecuted Christians**. He imprisoned them, voted for their execution, and tried to force them to deny Jesus. He was obsessed with destroying the church.
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### **How Paul Met Jesus**
Then, Paul shares the moment everything changed:
> “At midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.” *(Acts 26:13)*
He describes how Jesus Himself appeared to him in a blinding light and spoke:
> "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." *(Acts 26:14)*
Jesus was telling Paul, “You are resisting me, and it’s only making things harder for yourself.”
Paul asks, **"Who are you, Lord?"**
And Jesus responds, **"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."**
In that moment, Paul’s life was completely turned upside down.
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### **Paul’s Life After Meeting Jesus**
Paul was never the same after that encounter. He went from persecuting Christians to **becoming one of the greatest missionaries of all time.**
> “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God.” *(Acts 26:19-20)*
The man who once **hunted Christians** was now telling everyone to follow Jesus.
When he finished sharing, the governor **Festus** responded:
> "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you out of your mind." *(Acts 26:24)*
And **King Agrippa** asked, **"In such a short time, would you persuade me to be a Christian?"**
Paul’s answer was powerful:
> **"Whether short or long, I pray that not only you but all who hear me this day might become as I am—except for these chains."** *(Acts 26:29)*
Paul’s only wish was that everyone, even his accusers, would come to know Jesus.
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### **What Do We Do With This?**
**1. You Can Meet Jesus Today**
If you don’t yet know Jesus, don’t delay. Paul was completely changed when he met Christ, and the same can happen for you.
**2. Share Your Story**
If you’ve met Jesus, share your before-and-after story. It doesn’t have to be dramatic—just tell people what He has done in your life.
**3. Anchor Your Story in God’s Story**
Paul didn’t just share his experience; he connected it to **God’s greater plan** in Scripture. Make sure your testimony points back to **Jesus** and what He has done.
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### **Closing Prayer**
Father, we thank You for Your grace and mercy. You are redeeming the world through Jesus, and You want to meet each of us personally.
For those who don’t yet know You, may today be the day they say yes. And for those of us who have met You, give us the boldness to share our stories and point others to Jesus.
In His name, we pray. Amen.