Paul’s Damascus Road Experience – Acts 26:12–18
Paul traveled to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests (Acts 26:12).
Along the way, a bright light from heaven shone around him (Acts 26:13).
He then heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him (Acts 26:14–15).
Jesus appointed Paul to be a minister and a witness of the things he had seen and would yet see (Acts 26:16–18).
Paul was informed that through his ministry the Gentiles would receive an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18).
In this moment, Paul was transitioned into the Church.
Though Paul was initially saved under Law, his belief in the resurrected Lord placed him into the Church, the body of Christ.
Paul's Obedience and Gospel Ministry – Acts 26:19–23
Paul affirmed that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19).
He preached repentance and turning to God in Damascus, Jerusalem, throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles (Acts 26:20).
Because of this, the Jews seized him in the temple and attempted to kill him (Acts 26:21).
Nevertheless, Paul continued to testify, saying nothing beyond what Moses and the prophets had foretold (Acts 26:22).
He proclaimed that Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles (Acts 26:23).
Festus and Agrippa Respond – Acts 26:24–29
At this point, Festus interrupted Paul with a loud voice, claiming that Paul was mad from much learning (Acts 26:24).
Paul responded, asserting that he spoke words of truth and reason (Acts 26:25).
He appealed to King Agrippa’s knowledge of the prophets, expressing confidence that these things were not done in a corner (Acts 26:26–27).
Agrippa replied, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28).
Paul then expressed his desire that all who heard him that day might become as he was, except for the chains that bound him (Acts 26:29).
Paul is Dismissed – Acts 26:30–32
After this exchange, the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who sat with them rose and departed (Acts 26:30).
As they conferred among themselves, they agreed that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or chains (Acts 26:31).
Agrippa concluded that Paul could have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:32).
Paul’s Journey to Rome Begins – Acts 27:1–8
Paul was delivered to Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment (Acts 27:1).
Along with other prisoners, he boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was sailing along the coast of Asia (Acts 27:2).
Adramyttium was a city in Mysia, Asia Minor—modern-day Edremit in Turkey.
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, traveled with them (Acts 27:2; cf. Acts 19:29).
He was a frequent companion of Paul and would later be referred to as a fellow prisoner (Colossians 4:10), as well as one of Paul’s fellow laborers (Philemon 1:24).
When they arrived at Sidon, Julius kindly permitted Paul to visit his friends and receive care (Acts 27:3).
As they set sail again, they encountered contrary winds and reached Myra with difficulty (Acts 27:4–5).
There, they boarded an Alexandrian ship and eventually arrived with great difficulty at a place called Fair Havens (Acts 27:6–8).
Paul Warns of Danger – Acts 27:9–12
By this time, “the Fast” had already passed (Acts 27:9).
This “Fast” refers to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which falls in late September or early October (cf. Leviticus 16:29–31; 23:26–32).
Traveling by sea on the Mediterranean was considered dangerous after mid-September and typically ceased altogether from November to March due to winter storms.
Paul warned that the voyage would end in disaster and great loss, not only of cargo and ship but also of lives (Acts 27:10).
However, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and the owner of the ship rather than by Paul, so they continued the voyage (Acts 27:11–12).
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