Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Acts 26 captures a transformative moment in Paul's life as he stands before Agrippa defending his faith. It can be easy for us to read through this passage and be underwhelmed. How many times as Christians do we hear someone’s testimony? As a pastor, this can be a daily occurrence for me. That's why I love Paul’s story. We see Paul simply recounting his testimony, but I want to give a new understanding to the word "testimony" through what we read in Acts 26. Paul gives a profound narrative of personal change and divine calling. Testimonies are essential for us as Christians and have the power to change lives. I want us to dive into the artistic way that Paul presents the Gospel through his testimony to equip us to do the same and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Know your audience.

In this passage, we see Paul is in court for crimes he is accused of committing against Jewish law and the Roman government. What I love about Paul is that he never fails to present the Gospel, even when he is standing on trial in front of King Agrippa. Paul starts by establishing a connection based on mutual respect with Agrippa by acknowledging his understanding of Jewish culture and customs. Paul teaches us here the importance of knowing our audience. After all, ministry is all about relationships.

Express that God's grace is for everyone.

Paul then continues to give his testimony. If you have a testimony as crazy as Paul’s, you better be telling someone about it every minute of your day. What an incredible story. We see Jesus' words to Paul on Damascus Road become essential in his trial with Agrippa. But before this happens. Paul recalls what his life was like before his encounter with Jesus. He was a Pharisee, prosecuting and killing Christians emphasizing his dedication to Jewish law. When Jesus appears to him, Paul is transformed from a prosecutor of Christians to a proclaimer of Christ. He shows us here that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and His transforming love.

Embrace the mission.

Jesus not only halts Paul’s sinful mission to prosecute Christians but Jesus also gives him a new, meaningful mission. In verses 17 and 18, we read about the mission Jesus has for Paul - to open the eyes of both Jews and Gentiles, turning away from the darkness and accepting the light. As many of us know, accepting this mission into our own lives and being obedient to God's calling often requires courage and resilience. Leading people to God can take time, but it will always be worth the effort, no matter how difficult it can become.

Pray. 

This is by far my favorite part of this passage. In verse 27, Paul is giving Agrippa an opportunity to respond to his testimony. After Agrippa's denial of this calling, Paul goes on to say that he will pray for the day of Agrippa's salvation. One of the most important things we can do for those who do not know Christ is to pray for them. Paul shows us the importance of even praying for what some would call his enemies. After giving your testimony, pray for them that your words penetrate their heart and make a way for God's love to fill their life.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Let this passage inspire and prompt you to understand the importance of your testimony.
• The next thing I want you to do is find someone who has not heard your testimony, and simply tell it to them using what we have learned from Paul in Acts 26.
• Prayer: Take a moment to spend time in prayer and thank God that you have a story to share with others.