Paul was unquestionably innocent of the crime of which he
had been accused. Festus had been a fool. The Sanhedrin had set him
up, but that was cold comfort for Festus. His face must have been a study
in vexation as he looked anxiously at Agrippa only to have his worst fears
confirmed. Paul might be mad (in Festus’s estimation) but he was
certainly not bad. The king would look at Festus and nod his
head judiciously: “Not guilty, Mr. Procurator. The man is clearly not
guilty.”
Saul launched vicious attacks on the followers of Christ
(Acts 8:1–3). In the midst of his authorized and fanatical pursuit of the
followers of “the Way,” he was blinded by a supernatural light and heard the
voice of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1–19). Confronted by Christ Himself, Paul’s life
was permanently redirected.
Saul launched vicious attacks on the followers of Christ
(Acts 8:1–3). In the midst of his authorized and fanatical pursuit of the
followers of “the Way,” he was blinded by a supernatural light and heard the
voice of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1–19). Confronted by Christ Himself, Paul’s life
was permanently redirected.
Here he tells them something
that had been concealed from them or unknown to them until then—that all the
saints would not die, but all would be changed.