Acts 26:19-23

Obedience is the key to knowledge. We must be doers not just hearers of the WORD OF GOD. By our good works,  done out of our love of Christ, we sow but the HOLY SPIRIT brings it to completion.

Paul is being persecuted for following Jesus’ command to spread the gospel. Throughout Acts, the good news about Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of promises made by God in the old testament Scriptures. Jesus was not raised from the dead temporarily, as other people were. He was the first who absolutely conquered death and was the guarantee that others would as well. To Festus, Paul’s reasoning seemed foolish. Paul makes it personal. He knew that Agrippa knew the old testament

Scriptures, so he should believe the fulfillment of old testament promises. Faithlife Bible.

Repentance indicates a complete change in thinking. 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

In Romans 12:2, Paul speaks of the “renewing of your mind.” We do what we think is best, what makes sense to us. Paul was killing Christians because he thought it was the correct course of action. Christ’s revelation changed his thoughts, but his preaching of the Good News was visible proof that he had repented of his former ways. Genuine repentance is evidenced by changed behavior. NKJ Bible.

Acts 26:19–23 (NKJV)

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. ²¹ For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. ²² Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—²³ that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

1 Corinthians 15:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:23 (NKJV)

²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Revelation 1:5 (NKJV)

⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)

⁶ “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,

And will hold Your hand;

I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

As a light to the Gentiles,